BLM concludes gather of excess wild burros near Empire and Porter Springs
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WINNEMUCCA, Nev. – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has concluded a wild burro gather near Empire and Porter Springs, Nev. This operation by BLM’s Winnemucca District, was conducted in the Seven Troughs herd management area near Porter Springs and Empire, Nev. The BLM gathered and removed 188 excess wild burros from public lands. Approximately 52 wild burros remain in the area.
The purpose of the gather, which was conducted from June 4 to July 2, was to prevent excess wild burros from leaving public rangelands and crossing roadways in search of resources. Vehicle collisions with wild burros have occurred on Highway 399 and burros have been spotted on Highway 447 south of Empire, Nev., as well as within the town of Empire. Resource damage around the Porter Springs Recreation Management Area has also been attributed to the overpopulation of wild burros. It was conducted in compliance with the provisions of Section 1333(b) of the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act. Removing excess animals will also enable significant progress toward achieving the Standards for Rangeland Health identified by the Northeastern Great Basin Resource Advisory Council.
The BLM transported wild burros removed from the range to the Palomino Valley Center in Reno, Nev., to be readied for the BLM’s wild horse and burro Adoption and Sale Program. Wild burros not adopted or sold will be placed in long-term pastures where they will be humanely cared for and retain their “wild” status and protection under the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act.
Additional gather information is available on the BLM website at https://go.usa.gov/xmGjA.
For technical information, contact Samantha Gooch, Wild Horse and Burro Specialist at (775) 623-1519.
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.