Skip to content

Wild Mustang/Burro Campaigns


Educational Links:
www.wildhoofbeats.com
www.wildhorseeducation.org

Download a PDF
of the poster


6 WILD Facts You Didn’t Know About Burros

The following is from the American Wild Horse Conservation: Did you know that wild burros can recognize each other’s voices from more than a mile away? Or that they can sprint faster than a coyote in a chase? These smart, sturdy animals are full of surprises — and their impact on our environment goes far beyond what meets the eye. Photo Credit: Steve Paige In honor of Burro Awareness Month, here are six fascinating facts about these often-overlooked desert dwellers:
  • A donkey never forgets. Burros have an astonishing memory — they can recall other burros and familiar places even after 25 years apart.
  • Burros put on a brave face. As a survival instinct, burros tend to mask pain or weakness to avoid becoming targets in the wild. But just because they look tough doesn’t mean they aren’t suffering.
  • Donkeys are digestion machines. Burros make the most of every bite. Their efficient systems extract up to 95% of the nutrients from what they eat.
  • Burro babies aren’t born for a YEAR! The average burro pregnancy lasts 11 to 14.5 months. Most foals are born at night, when it’s safest.
  • Burros are ecosystem engineers! Burros create life-giving water holes in desert regions. These mini-oases provide essential hydration for a wide range of wildlife.
  • The blind burro buddy system: Blind burros often form deep bonds with sighted companions who help lead the way. And get this: Donkeys can see all four of their feet at once!
Chip in to Protect America’s Wild Burros Wild burros may keep quiet about their pain, but they should NOT have to suffer in silence. At American Wild Horse Conservation, we’re fighting to end inhumane government policy and ensure burros get the protection they deserve. Will you make a quick donation to support our work? For the wild ones, Team AWHC ...

Celebrating all the wild horse moms this Mother’s Day!

The following is from the American Wild Horse Conservation: This Mother’s Day, as we celebrate the nurturing, resilient, and protective spirit of mothers everywhere, let’s take a moment to also honor some of the most devoted moms in the wild — the mares of America’s wild horse herds. Photo by Yasmin Tajik These incredible mothers face constant challenges. From surviving harsh environments to protecting their young from predators and even government roundups, wild horse mares embody strength and sacrifice every day. But they can’t do it alone. Right now, wild mares and their precious foals are at risk. Starting in just two months, federal roundups threaten to tear families apart, placing thousands of horses in government holding pens — many never to run free again. Will you stand with us this Mother’s Day to protect wild horse mothers and keep their families together? Your generous gift can help us stop the roundups, safeguard their freedom, and ensure that wild mares and their foals continue to roam the lands they call home. DONATE Thank you for standing with all the wild moms out there. With gratitude, American Wild Horse Conservation ...

In celebration of Burro Awareness Month

The following is from the American Wild Horse Conservation: May is a month of renewal: spring blooms, new life on the range, and a powerful reminder to protect the wild. It’s also Burro Awareness Month, a time to honor one of the most resilient and misunderstood animals in the American West. This month is a celebration of the wild burro’s vital role in the American West, both ecological and cultural. But it’s also a call to action to protect them against federal mismanagement. TAKE ACTION FOR WILD BURROS The National Academy of Sciences warned in 2013 that the small, fragmented nature of burro herds threatens their genetic viability and that current population levels may be too low to sustain healthy herds. Yet, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) continues to ignore this science. In fact, during this year’s Burro Awareness month, the BLM is planning to remove over 1,100 wild burros in a bait trap roundup in Arizona’s Three Rivers Complex. The current plan would leave only 1,160 burros in the wild on nearly one million acres of public, private, and state land. While this is not a helicopter roundup, the lasting impacts will be devastating for these important herds. The ecological importance of wild burros in desert environments cannot be overstated. Studies show that burros dig wells that provide water access for native species and support biodiversity in some of the harshest environments in the American West. Yet BLM continues to treat them as pests rather than ecosystem engineers. This must change. This Burro Awareness Month, take action for wild burros and call on the BLM to:
  • Stop rounding up wild burros, especially with helicopters
  • Recognize the ecological importance of wild burros in arid landscapes
  • Address genetic fragmentation by reassessing AMLs and implementing science-based plans to ensure long-term viability
Let the BLM know that you want burros protected, not driven to collapse. For the wild ones, Team AWHC ...

Reminder: Today is the day to GIVE BIG!

The following is from the American Wild Horse Conservation: The Big Day of Giving is officially here! Today, our community comes together to support the causes we care about most — and for wild horses and burros, this moment couldn’t be more important. American Wild Horse Conservation (AWHC) is participating in this powerful 24-hour giving event. Our goal? Raise $25,000 to fuel rescue efforts, expose government abuse, and fight for real protections for America’s wild herds. And with your help, we know we can get there. Will you make your gift right now and be part of this movement? HELP US REACH $25,000 Your Big Day of Giving donation supports:
  • Documentation and investigation into harmful government policy.
  • Rescue operations for wild horses at risk of slaughter and confinement.
  • Public education campaigns and grassroots advocacy.
  • On-the-ground efforts to push for humane, in-the-wild management.
This is your chance to make a powerful impact — and every dollar counts. Together, we can change the future for America’s wild horses and burros. Let’s make this Big Day of Giving one to remember. DONATE BEFORE MIDNIGHT With hopeful gratitude, American Wild Horse Conservation P.S. Donations made today help us unlock momentum and show the strength of our community. Give now, and help us reach our $25,000 goal before midnight! ...

Tell the BLM: Stop Using Helicopters to Round Up Wild Horses and Burros

The following is from the American Wild Horse Conservation: On May 6, 2025, from 1 to 3 PM MST, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will hold its legally mandated virtual public meeting on the use of helicopters and other motorized vehicles in wild horse and burro management. This is a critical opportunity for YOU to speak out against one of the most inhumane practices in the federal government’s Wild Horse and Burro Program. Register to speak by May 5, 2025! Register and Read the Talking Points Here Can’t attend the meeting? You can still make your voice heard by submitting written comments directly to the BLM: Submit your comment now Helicopter roundups are cruel, costly, and ineffective. Foals, pregnant mares, and older animals are chased over miles of rugged terrain—often in extreme heat—resulting in injuries, trauma, and even death. In one horrifying 2024 incident, a BLM contractor was caught on video kicking a downed horse in the head. We know there’s a better way. Humane fertility control offers a cost-effective and sustainable solution that keeps wild horses in the wild and out of overburdened holding pens. The BLM currently spends less than 4% of its budget on this proven conservation method. The public has spoken—over 100,000 Americans have signed on to a petition calling for an end to helicopter roundups. Now it’s time for the BLM to listen. Let’s make our voices count on May 6. Submit your comment now For the wild ones, The AWHC Team ...