The RSPCA and Local Land Services have been appointed to oversee the care of North American bison at a failed tourist park near Casino.
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"This case is highly complex, involving multiple agencies," said the RSPCA in a statement to The Land. "This matter is also still under investigation, and due to this, we are limited in what we can share.
"We can confirm that we have been working with a Local Land Services District Veterinarian and a livestock nutritional expert for several weeks, in response to welfare concerns for Bison in poor body condition located at The Aranyani Bison Adventure Tourist Park.
"During this time, our inspectorate and Local Land Services visited the property on several occasions, collecting faecal samples to test for internal parasites, as well as providing written directions, including a feeding and care plan to the receivership company of the tourist park, who confirmed acceptance of the directions.
"We can also confirm the remaining Bison were reassessed by the Local Land Service District Veterinarian and advised they were in a condition where they were fit to be transported to another property for ongoing care. A further written direction has been issued to the person in charge and will be subject to ongoing inspections by RSPCA NSW.
"As this matter is still part of an active investigation, we are unable to disclose any other information at this time."
A spokesperson for the receiver said the bison were in extremely poor condition when they took on the case in February, after the owner had abandoned the property. Local Land Services and the RSPCA were called in immediately with LLS confirming massive parasite burden and RSPCA ordering a feed plan which was followed.
The first of two drenches stabilised the animals but they failed to improve and last week the decision was made to move the herd to a farm in the Tweed Valley with better feed.
Near neighbours and former employees of the Aryani Bison Adventure Tourist Park at Myrtle Creek say animal welfare of the bison, a herd at its peak of about 50, had been high priority in the past, with a supplemented diet of pellets and Lucerne hay.
Steers were sent for processing at wild-game approved Brisbane Valley Meats and the meat was rich in good oils and flavour.
That was all before recent setbacks.
The tourist park's slide into financial ruin began in 2019 with nearby Rappville fires roaring past the property but not through it. Neither did last year's record floods touch the top paddocks of the 500 hectare property, mostly wetland connected to the headwaters of Bungawalbyn Creek, with about 150ha for cell grazing.
Covid-19 cruelled the enterprise completely and six months of cloudy weather left paddocks yellow. Hot Christmas weather baked the paddocks hard.
Some of the bison that died were very old, having arrived on the property in full mouth about 12 years ago.
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