Roundup Report: Centennial, Panamint, and Slate Range Wild Burros

The Centennial, Panamint, and Slate Range herd areas (HA) encompass roughly 1.73 million acres of public and private land and are home to over 500wild burros. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has decided to remove allwild burrosfrom these areas based on a management plan from the early 1980s, citing land and water issues and human-burro conflicts. This plan has not been reevaluated since its inception.

American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Campaign) filed a legal appeal, arguing that the agency failed to consider new scientific evidence showing thatwild burrosdig for water in desert environments, enhancing water availability and preventing the extinction of rare fish species. Unfortunately, the appeal was dismissed, and the zero-out plan remains in place.

The last roundup in this area occurred in June 2021, capturing 290wild burrosusing helicopter methods. The current roundup aims to capture up to 490 burros from the three HAs and Death Valley National Park over 14-20 days. The lifetime cost to house these burros in government corrals is estimated at $23.5 million.

The roundup began on April 25, 2022, with American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Campaign) having an observer onsite. Updates will be provided as the roundup progresses.

Cumulative Totals

• Total Captured: 181 wild burros
• Total Dead: one burro

Roundup Report

May 5, 2022:Ninewild burroswere rounded up today. There were no deaths, but theBLMnoted, "One jenny had minor rope burn on her left shoulder and left hind above the hock, treated with Vetericyn Plus." The roundup ended early today.

May 4, 2022:Twowild burroswere captured today. Operations ended early due to high winds.

May 3, 2022:Seventeenwild burroswere captured today. There were no deaths, but theBLMreported, "One jack had a small abrasion on his forehead and was treated. One jenny had a slightly lame right front leg."

May 2, 2022:Sixteenwild burroswere captured today. There were no deaths, but according to theBLM, "one jenny had an old injury to the right hind hock and was shipped to corrals for further evaluation."

May 1, 2022:Fifty-onewild burroslost their freedom today, and there was one death after a jenny suffered a head injury from tripping.

April 30, 2022:Eight burros were captured and removed today. TheBLMagain did not permit public observers.

April 29, 2022:Twenty-threewild burroswere rounded up and removed today. TheBLMagain did not permit public observers. One chronic injury was noted after a jack, estimated to be 11 to 15 years old, exhibited lameness in his right front foot due to hoof contraction. According to theBLM, he is being provided with opportunities to rest, and the corral staff is monitoring him.

April 28, 2022:The helicopters did not fly today due to wind.

April 27, 2022:Fifty-fivewild burroslost their freedom today. This is the fourth day of the roundup that the agency has not permitted public viewing.

April 25 and 26, 2022:Over the last two days, theBLMKingman Field Office captured 24wild burros. This is the third day of the roundup, and the BLM has not allowed any public observation, citing public safety concerns. An AWHC Field Representative found a few burros enjoying their final days of freedom in Death Valley.