The first “Donkey Week” was celebrated in 1983. World “Donkey Day” is May 8th. Donkey week falls on May 6-13 this year.

May is a time of year for an international celebration recognizing the significance of donkeys in human history and culture, and raises awareness about their welfare. Donkeys have played an integral part in human history throughout the world.

Recognized in the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act as deserving of protection and preservation for their contribution to the “spirit of the West” and American history, burros are often under-appreciated and their unique needs are left out of planning by the agencies tasked under law with their welfare.

Our investigative work has proven that the basic distinct needs of burros are not being met. Burros are not horses. That seems like a simple statement and you may wonder why it is even necessary to state. (You can learn more about the unique needs of burros HERE)

The lack of burro specific care is illustrated in the events surrounding a needless loss of the life of a single baby, born to a first-time mom captured via helicopter roundup earlier this year: no consideration for special needs, inadequate care and a sheer lack of appropriate record keeping. (More HERE)

When it comes to management of federally protected wild burros, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) does not even define what a burro is, how it uses the range and even how they reproduce or nutritional needs. The BLM just uses their “horse models” for burros. BLM provides no oversight to keep adopted or sold burros safe from the illegal wildlife trade in burro hides for Ejaio (Chinese medicine) threatening burro populations worldwide.

In the U.S. BLM is trying to push the wild burro population down to only 2,101 animals spread over five western states. BLM calls this “appropriate” to preserve this living symbol of western history. Isolated pockets of burros pushed below genetic viability is not preservation, it is a road to inbreeding and eventual extinction.

In the areas BLM does manage burros there is often a lot of public interaction because tourists like to feed burros. BLM does not create tourist loops and instead allows the cycle of motor vehicle collisions and removals to continue.

There are only 3 wild burro areas where populations are over 150 individuals in the entire country. Where wild horses and burros are managed as a single population, the chart may demonstrate higher numbers, but the population of burros sits at genetic bankruptcy.

Last year we won a precedent setting, burro-centric, lawsuit at the nearly 2 million acre Blue Wing Complex. This lawsuit has finally opened up the doors to begin to obtain actual management of the wild horses and burros in the complex, that had been illegally delayed for over 40 years. However, once again, BLM is simply trying to turn a management plan into a gather plan. Instead of being responsible, BLM is continuing to cut corners and waste money as they sat up the (obvious) need for additional litigation. (We will have sample comments and more info out soon.)

Our team is expanding our work to protect our wild burros. WHE has active legal action in Three Rivers in Arizona where BLM did switch to doing bait trapping instead of helicopter capture. Helicopters should simply NEVER be used to capture any burro as shown by the data. Burros are hardy, but they are not sprinting athletes. They suffer immensely post helicopter roundups.

However the fight is not over. BLM has failed to address basic issues in their planning and our litigation moves forward to address things like numbers on the range, range improvements, wildfire and how to keep tourists from causing problems the burros pay for again and again.

One really simple thing you can do is to remember to simply type or say “Wild Horse and Burro Program” when talking or writing your lawmakers. Too many times we hear Congress or media say “wild horse program.” Help us correct them and get burros the attention they sorely need. 

Our team is busy working on litigation this week involving several cases, including cases that place the needs of our wild long ears at center stage. 

All of our work is only possible with your support. We thank you for being a vital part of the work of WHE.