BLM Pledges to Continue Wild Donkey Roundup Until Goal Met: 100 Burros Targeted

Wild burros have long roamed the rugged terrain north of Lake Havasu City. Their growing presence in the Havasu region poses a significant risk to both the animals and local motorists.

This week, federal officials commenced efforts to control the wild burro population near Lake Havasu City. According to the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the trapping initiative will persist until 100 burros are captured.

The targeted number is set by the BLM’s FY2024 Tentative Wild Horse and Burro Gather and Fertility Control Schedule. Lake Havasu Herd Management Area has been designated for emergency trapping due to public safety concerns.

The initiative was announced following a fatal traffic accident on State Route 95 on July 19. Eighty-one-year-old Gary Fratus collided with a burro near Lake Havasu Municipal Airport, causing his vehicle to enter the oncoming lane, resulting in a head-on collision.

Wild burros have been a longstanding issue for local, state, and federal officials. The population in Mohave County is now estimated to be nearly 2,300, far exceeding the capacity outlined by BLM records.

Susan McAlpine, the BLM Wild Horse & Burro Advisory Committee’s only Arizona member, expressed concerns about burro overpopulation. “The BLM is actively addressing the issue. These herds not only damage the ecosystem but also pose risks in areas like Phoenix and around Lake Pleasant,” McAlpine said. She speculates that the burros travel to Havasu for water from the Colorado River.

The current trapping operations employ a bait-trap method, using food and water to lure the animals into temporary corrals. After capture, the burros are transported to the Florence Wild Horse and Burro Training and Off-Range Corral for adoption or purchase.

In October, the BLM estimated that 374 burros roamed the Lake Havasu Herd Management Area, with numbers expected to reach 570 by 2026. They alerted residents to anticipate increased burro activity on roadways and private lands.

The BLM’s ongoing efforts include a streamlined 10-year plan proposed in October, potentially capturing 1,794 excess burros from areas including Big Sandy, Alamo Lake, and Lake Havasu. This plan also involves fertility control measures to curb the population growth.