Wild burros need you now more than ever
The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:
The Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) inhumane and cruel treatment of wild horses is often in the spotlight, while the welfare of wild burros is sometimes overlooked. At AWHC, we keep the plight of these magical creatures at the forefront, but we’re sad to report that 2022 was one of the worst years for burros in recent history.
Over the course of the year, the BLM used helicopters to remove over 3,000 wild burros from five different Herd Management Areas (HMAs), including more than 1,000 of the most genetically significant wild burros in the country from the Black Mountain HMA in Arizona.
Meredith, wild burros are under siege like never before, with the BLM eager to round up even more of these innocent animals in 2023. We cannot let this happen in the dark. That’s why we intend to send field representatives to every single burro roundup possible next year, but we need your help to make it happen.
Unlike wild horses who run into the trap site in their family groups, wild burros are stoic and often stand their ground in the face of the helicopters or scatter in an attempt to avoid capture. As a result, roundups can be even more traumatic and taxing for these docile animals.
Our photos and videos of the BLM’s cruel helicopter roundups have sparked public outrage and prompted numerous members of Congress to speak out against them.
Helicopters aren’t the only cruel tactic the BLM employs — BLM contractors used electric cattle prods on burros during the Black Mountain roundup this year, and the BLM’s own Comprehensive Animal Welfare Program (CAWP) assessment of the roundup detailed one contractor abusively hitting, kicking, striking, and beating a captured burro.
We need to fight harder than ever next year to save the West’s few remaining wild burros. Any amount you can afford to give today will help us reach our End-of-Year goal and DOUBLE your support to help save wild burros in 2023!
Thank you,
AWHC Team
