Arizona Burro Roundup Begins: Updates and News Coverage

Arizona Burro Roundup: Key Updates and CoverageArizona Burro Roundup: Key Updates and Coverage

The Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) Cibola-Trigo burro roundup in southwestern Arizona began at 7:30 a.m. on June 6, 2012. On the first day, the BLM captured 62 burros in four helicopter runs, including several foals. On the second day, 12 additional burros were captured before the roundup was called off in the late morning. By the third day, the BLM reported capturing 36 more burros, totaling 110 burros as of June 8, 2012.

The capture operation aims to remove 350 wild burros living in this remote region of the southern Sonora desert. Although the BLM claims that burros are overgrazing, burro experts have stated that these animals regulate their population numbers in accordance with water availability. One wild burro population studied in the Mojave Desert showed a 7 percent reproduction rate, significantly lower than the 15-25 percent rate of increase claimed by the BLM.

Media Coverage of Arizona Burro Roundup

BLM rounds up burros despite heat objections, Yuma Sun

Animal advocates outraged over burro roundup, Tucson News Now

BLM burro roundup in Arizona starts amid criticism, My Fox Phoenix

Burro roundup starts amid criticism‎, KPNX12/AP

News Releases on Burro Roundup

Today: BLM Roundup of Historic Arizona Burros to Begin Amid Congressional and Expert Opposition

AWHC, Citing Experts, Urges BLM to Halt Massive Arizona Burro Roundup in High Desert Heat

More Information on Burro Roundup

AWHPC Letter to the BLM

Representative Grijalva’s letter to the BLM

Dr. Michael Hutchison letter to the BLM

Dr. Jennifer Garretson letter to the BLM

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