SEPT 22, 2012: OLIVER RANCH, RED ROCK CANYON, NEAR BONNIE SPRINGS
In September 2012, BLM gathered about 30 burros in and around the village of Blue Diamond, south of the Red Rock National Conservation Area. Some of these burros had been hand-fed by tourists until they became a nuisance on the highway and in the village. Villagers had sought the removal of a few offending burros for several years but that was delayed until 30 burros lost their freedom forever. They entered the trap pens by following BLM employees holding junk food packets! The public lost the amazing experience of seeing burros foraging in Red Rock.
It is essential that the public do not feed burros or wild horses as feeding will result in more roundups. There is a $500 fine for feeding the wild ones. Unfortunately many people care only for getting the burros close for a picture and so they feed them hamburgers, candy, etc. Burros are extremely canny and will soon hang out by Highway 159 looking for handouts. In the dark, speeding vehicles can and do maim or kill them outright. They have unwittingly become a traffic hazard.
The captured burros were put up for adoption Saturday Sept. 22, 2012 at Oliver Ranch near Bonnie Springs. (put link here to BLM page as you currently have it on the updates page) Burros may be trained for many things, they make great watchdogs in a stable area always on the alert for intruders, and can be very affectionate and intelligent. For more information, see: http://www.donkeyscando.com/
One burro, Okole, became buddy to Kamalani, a Wheeler Pass wild horse adopted years ago by local trail rider. Within a week, Matt took Okole back for a brief visit through his home range. Read their story here.
Photo by P. Johnson, 2011
Burros Awaiting Adoption September 2012, Oliver Ranch, Red Rock Canyon. Photo origin unknown