Arizona Burro Roundup Begins: Updates and News 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
Representative Grijalva’s letter to the BLM