BLM Cautions Drivers to Watch for Wild Burros on Highways
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Las Vegas –The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Southern Nevada District Office asks motorists to be careful of wild horses and burros along our roadways, as the end of Daylight Savings Time brings earlier darkness and lower visibility to Southern Nevada.
In the past, numerous wild horses and burros have been hit and killed or sustained injuries leading to euthanization. The animals can wander onto the road creating a safety hazard to themselves and for people traveling the highways, including the State Route 159, State Route 160, Lee, Kyle, and Cold Creek roads.
“One of the biggest problems is people stopping to see the wild horses and burros and feeding them,” said Krystal Johnson, BLM Wild Horse and Burro Specialist. “Now some of the wild horses and burros stay alongside the road waiting for food.”
Feeding and interacting with the wild horses and burros makes them lose aspects of their wild character and associate vehicles with food. It is illegal to feed, pet, or otherwise harass a wild horse or burro. Individuals will be cited for those activities, and the citations carry a fine.
Numbers of animals hit by cars varies by year; however, this month two have been struck on State Routes 159 and 160. Both burros died.
If you hit a burro with your vehicle, please call 911. For more information about the Southern Nevada District Wild Horse and Burro program, please contact Krystal Johnson at 702-515-5171 or by email at krystal_johnson@blm.gov. Updates may also be found on the BLM Nevada twitter @BLMNV and Facebook site www.facebook.com/BLMNevada.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.