BLM to gather up 100 burros

Looking to adopt a wild burro? The BLM may have one for you.

The Bureau of Land Management's Yuma Field Office will begin gathering 100 burros from the Cibola-Trigo Herd Management Area near Blythe starting Sept. 25. The animals collected will be available for adoption, according to a BLM press release.

“Our goal is to manage for healthy public lands and healthy wild burros,” said Todd Shoaff, BLM Yuma field manager. “We made the decision to conduct this gather after extensive public input and review of the best scientific information available to us.”

The BLM will gather 100 wild burros, leaving a total of 500 wild burros in the area, which is still above the appropriate management level (AML) for this herd of 165, according to the release. AML is the point at which the herd's population is consistent with the land's capacity to support wild burros or horses in balance with other public rangeland uses and resources.

All gathered animals will be examined, and if needed, treated by a veterinarian. All animals will be transported to the BLM Ridgecrest facility and made available for adoption to citizens willing and prepared to provide good care.

The BLM said the event is part of ongoing management to maintain a healthy population of wild burros and horses on public lands in balance with their environment.

“By law, we manage a wide range of natural resources and uses,” Shoaff said. “Wild burros, and ensuring their future on healthy rangelands, are an important part of this.”

Information on the event will be available on the BLM's website. A public viewing will be held Sept. 26.

Anyone interested in observing the event must contact the BLM Public Affairs Specialist Lori Cook at 317-3243 by Sept. 17. All attendees must drive their own four-wheel drive, high-clearance vehicle. Also, individuals should dress in accordance with weather conditions and bring plenty of food and water. The drive time to the gather site from Yuma is approximately 1-1/2 hours.

“During this gather, our first priority is safety – that of the animals, our employees and members of the public,” Shoaff said.

BLM expects the event to last no more than three days.