Wild burros in Panamint Valley
Photo credit: Jesse Pluim/BLM
April 23, 2022 - RIDGECREST, Calif. – On Monday, April 25, the Bureau of Land Management Ridgecrest Field Office will begin a 14–20-day wild burro gather of up to 490 animals in the Centennial, Panamint, and Slate Range herd areas and in the National Park Service’s Death Valley National Park. These areas are not managed to support wild burros and a gather is necessary to address resource impacts and reduce the risk of burro-vehicle collisions.
“The BLM’s priority is to conduct a safe and successful wild burro gather operation, while ensuring humane care and treatment of the animals gathered,” said Ridgecrest Field Manager Carl Symons. “The wild burro overpopulation is located on fragile desert landscapes where food and water are scarce, and endangers the health of the land, burros, and other animals.”
The gather will improve habitat conditions for species, such as the federally listed Inyo California towhee, and other species that share the same limited resources. Gathered burros will be transported to the Ridgecrest Wild Horse and Burro Corrals for later adoption.
The BLM will conduct gather operations using the drive trap method, an effective and humane method moving the burros at a slow pace to capture sites. Gather operations will be conducted with care and compassion for the animals’ well-being and adhere to humane handling standards as outlined in the Bureau of Land Management’s Comprehensive Animal Welfare program.
When possible, the public will be allowed to observe the gather if it does not jeopardize safety or disrupt gather operations. The BLM has established an information line at 760-428-0382 for an update on the next day’s public viewing time and location. For information about attending the gather, daily gather reports, any emergency closures, and additional information, please visit https://go.usa.gov/xu874. For information on how to adopt or purchase a wild horse or burro from the Ridgecrest Wild Horse and Burro Corrals call 760-384-5765, or visit https://www.blm.gov/programs/wild-horse-and-burro/adoptions-and-sales.
The BLM is conducting the gather under the Capture Plan for Wild Burro Gather and Removals for the Centennial, Slate Range and Panamint Herd Areas. To view the decision record and environmental assessment, visit https://go.usa.gov/xs7K7.
Source: BLM
