2024 Marietta Wild Burro Range Pre-Roundup Report

The Marietta Wild Burro Range in Mineral County, Nevada, is the first range in the U.S. managed primarily for wild burros. Spanning 68,000 acres, it has an Appropriate Management Level (AML) of 78 to 104 burros, as designated by the BLM. Currently, 387 burros reside in the Herd Management Area (HMA), with 75% slated for removal. These burros roam freely among Marietta's historic mining remnants and Teels Marsh's landscapes.

Established in 1991, on the 20th anniversary of the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act, the range's designation allows it to be managed primarily, though not exclusively, for these resilient animals.

Observations from the Marietta Range

Last week, American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Campaign) observers arrived at the Marietta Range. They began their search for burros at 6 a.m., spotting small groups of three to five throughout the range. The largest group included numerous young burros, including foals, engaging in curious and tender interactions. A young burro sniffed the sagebrush, watched the birds, and nestled close to its mother, while the vigilant father kept a watchful eye on any approach. Three bachelor males lingered nearby as the group grazed on abundant grass and drank from water pockets.

Concerns Over Roundup Methods

The thought of removing these burros, particularly through helicopter roundups, raises concerns. Such actions could devastate these family units. If relocation is necessary, more humane methods like bait trapping would be preferable, especially given the number of vulnerable foals in the herd.

Read AWHC's full roundup report here.