Roundup Report: Black Mountain Wild Burros, May 2022
The Black Mountain Herd Management Area (HMA) in northwestern Arizona spans over 1 million acres and is home to approximately 3,000 wild burros. These burros, believed to be of North African ancestry, are descendants of those brought by miners in the 1860s. Despite concerns about genetic viability, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has set a low management level for these burros. Starting May 2, 2022, the BLM initiated a roundup of about 1,080 burros using helicopters, expected to last 2-3 weeks.
One justification for the roundup is land degradation, though evidence suggests burros enhance water availability in deserts. The lifetime cost of housing these burros in government corrals is estimated at $51.8 million. The American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Campaign) monitored the operation to hold the BLM accountable.
Roundup Report
ROUNDUP COMPLETE: 1,109 burros lost their freedom
May 25, 2022: No burros were rounded up, but electric cattle prods were used during loading.
May 24, 2022: 38 burros were captured, and electric cattle prods were used.
May 23, 2022: 64 burros were captured.
May 22, 2022: 77 wild burros were captured.
May 21, 2022: 86 wild burros lost their freedom.
May 20, 2022: No animals were captured.
May 19, 2022: 32 wild burros were captured.
May 18, 2022: 37 burros lost their freedom.
May 17, 2022: 65 wild burros were rounded up. Some were roped inside trap wings but were unharmed.
May 16, 2022: 54 burros were caught. Some were roped inside trap wings but were unharmed.
May 15, 2022: 49 burros were captured. Some were roped inside trap wings but were unharmed.
May 14, 2022: 83 wild burros lost their freedom. One jenny was roped but unharmed.
May 13, 2022: No burros were removed.
May 12, 2022: 55 wild burros lost their freedom. One jenny was roped but unharmed. A jack with an old broken leg was not euthanized.
May 11, 2022: 48 burros were captured. One jenny was roped but unharmed.
May 10, 2022: 57 burros were captured. A jenny with an old break was in good health.
May 9, 2022: 97 wild burros were rounded up and removed.
May 8, 2022: High winds prevented helicopter flights.
May 7, 2022: 43 wild burros were rounded up. One jenny was roped.
May 6, 2022: 66 wild horses were captured. Electric prods were used during loading.
AWHC field representatives and one other public observer were on site.
Daily Observations
- 7:15 am: 7 burros were brought in from the east.
- 7:30 am: A helicopter pushed 2 burros, capturing 8 after a hard push.
- 9:00 am: 3 burros were brought in from the west.
- 9:22 am: 3 more burros were brought in from the west.
- 10:00 am: A helicopter chased 3 burros, capturing 2 initially, then roping the third.
- 11:32 am: 6 burros were visible in the distance.
- 12:43 pm: A helicopter pushed 6 burros, capturing 4.
Day concluded.
May 5, 2022: Approximately 65 burros were captured. AWHC representatives were the only public observers.
The Runs
- 7:10 am: 5 burros were brought in, including a foal.
- 7:35 am: 9 wild burros were captured.
- 8:50 am: A helicopter was heard in the distance.
- 9:45 am: 6 burros, including a foal, were brought in from the west.
- 9:50 am: 4 burros were brought in.
At 11:15 am, a group of 8 burros was chased by a helicopter near the observation area. A pregnant jenny was among them. The helicopter backed off, and the burros stayed with observers for about an hour.
- 11:45 am: 7 burros were captured from the east.
- 12:05 pm: 9 burros, including a foal, were brought in.
- 12:50 pm: A helicopter moved 6 burros slowly from the east.
- 1:30 pm: 7 burros were captured.
The day concluded.
May 4, 2022: 28 burros were captured. A hotshot was used during loading.
The Initial Runs
- 7:45 am: 5 burros were brought in.
- 8:25 am: 5 burros were captured.
- 9:30 am: 8 wild burros were brought in.
- 9:50 am: A jenny and a small foal were brought in.
- 9:56 am: A helicopter and wranglers pursued a single burro.
BLM's CAWP team was on site, but their presence was minimal. Susan McAlpine, representing Humane Advocacy, was present but not actively engaged. A wrangler's horse escaped, pausing operations. A burro ran into a gate but was confirmed unharmed.
At 12:10 pm, 4 burros were brought in, appearing stressed. By 12:20, 5 more burros were brought in, visibly tired. A jenny and foal diverted from the group.
Day was called at 1:15 pm due to wind.
May 3, 2022: 79 burros were captured. An orphan foal was placed in veterinary care.
AWHC field representatives were the only public observers. A USDA veterinarian was on site.
Helicopters were heard at 6:45 am and visible by 7:25 am.
The Runs
- 9 burros, including a young one, were brought in at 7:40 am.
- 5 burros were captured at 8:00 am.
- Approximately 10 burros were brought in just before 10:00 am.
- At 10:05 am, 6 burros were chased by helicopter and wranglers.
- At 10:50 am, 3 burros were captured, followed by 5 more.
- At 11:15 am, 5 burros were captured through a mix of methods.
- At 11:30 am, approximately 12 burros were captured.
The helicopter returned after 2 hours, bringing in a large group at 1:40 pm.
- By 2:20 pm, a single burro was chased for several minutes before pursuit was stopped.
A contractor on horseback gave his horse a break, highlighting the irony of the situation.
May 2, 2022: 17 wild burros were captured.