The adoption, with up to 20 partially gentled burros, will be held at the University of California, Davis, Animal Science Barns, La Rue Road and Putah Creek Lodge Drive. UC Davis students will start gentling the burros during the symposium under the supervision of The Donkey Sanctuary (United Kingdom) Trainer Ben Hart.
The adoption will be held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Competitive bidding will be held from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Burros will be available first-come first-served after that for a $125 adoption fee.
Potential adopters are welcome to view the animals on Fri., Nov. 6, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday starting at 8 a.m. Admission at other times is limited to symposium attendees.
The burros (donkeys) came from California and Nevada deserts.
Wild horses and burros are protected by the Wild and Free Roaming Horses and Burros Act. The law recognizes the animals as "living symbols of the historic and pioneer spirit of the West," and requires the BLM to manage the wild herds.
The BLM periodically gathers horses and burros to control herd populations on ranges shared with wildlife and domestic livestock. Herd sizes are controlled to ensure there is sufficient feed and water for all range users and to ensure that natural resources are not over used.
There are about 58,150 wild horses and burros roaming on public rangelands in the western states. More than 230,000 animals have been placed in private care since the BLM's Adopt-a-Horse-or-Burro Program began in the early 1970s.
For additional information on the adoption event or wild horse management, contact the BLM toll free at 1-866-4MUSTANGS. Information is also available online at www.wildhorseandburro.blm.gov.
Source: BLM
