2022 Centennial, Panamint, and Slate Range Herd Area Burro Gather
Purpose of Gather:
The BLM will begin a gather of up to 490 wild burros in the Centennial, Panamint, and Slate Range herd areas, including burros found outside the herd areas in the National Park Service’s Death Valley National Park. These herd areas are not managed to support wild burros and a gather is necessary to address resource impacts and reduce the risk of burro-vehicle collisions. The wild burro overpopulation is located on fragile desert landscapes where food and water are scarce, and endangers the health of the land, burros, and other animals. The gather will improve habitat conditions for species such as the federally listed Inyo California towhee, willow flycatcher, and other species which share the same limited resources.
The California Desert Protection Act, Public Law 103-433-October 31, 1994, Section 805(g)(4) designated the Secretary of the Navy responsible for managing the wild horses and burros located on Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake (NAWSCL) lands; such management is in accordance with laws applicable to management on public lands. The NAWSCL coordinates management of the Centennial Herd Management Area and Slate Range Herd Area with the BLM under a Memorandum of Agreement between the base commander, Navy Region Southwest, and the BLM, Ridgecrest Field
Details of Gather:
The Centennial, Panamint and Slate Range herd areas wild burro gather is scheduled to start on Monday, April 25 and scheduled to last 14-20 days. Gather dates are flexible and may conclude earlier. The BLM will primarily conduct gather operations using the drive trap method, an effective and humane method moving the burros at a slow pace to capture sites. Gather operations may include roping if areas are not conducive to establish a drive trap. Gather operations will be conducted with care and compassion for the animals’ well-being and adhere to humane handling standards as outlined in the BLM’s Comprehensive Animal Welfare Program.
Capture sites will be strategically located to minimize the distances the burros will travel, based on condition of the animals, topography, and weather. The length of daily gather operations will vary each day.
Public Observation:
Please see public viewing protocols here
Conditions and Safety Requirements
- The Centennial, Panamint and Slate Range herd areas are rugged and remote areas.
- Public observation days may begin very early in the morning before dawn and go late into the afternoon. Plan to be out in the field the entire day.
- You must provide your own transportation to the public observation area. Government vehicles cannot be used to transport members of the public.
- Roads can be very sandy where a 4x4 is needed, rugged, and rocky. Vehicle tires must be in good condition and you should have a fully inflated spare and tire changing equipment and be prepared to handle your own maintenance issues should they arise.
- There are no facilities, including restrooms, in the herd areas.
- Cell service is limited or nonexistent in most of the herd areas. Plan to be out of cell phone range for most of the day.
- Be prepared for weather extremes. Early mornings are cool and temperatures rise significantly in the afternoons. There is no shade. Bring appropriate protective clothing.
- Wear neutral colors – no brightly-colored clothing as that could be distracting to the animals.
- Binoculars are recommended as the public viewing areas will not be near the trap locations.
- Be prepared to hike into some observation locations. Some hikes could be arduous involving steep and rocky terrain.
When possible, the media and public will be allowed to observe the gather if it does not jeopardize safety or disrupt gather operations. Public viewing locations will be selected by the BLM and will be based on the safety for employees, public, animals, and operations. The BLM has established an information line at 760-428-0382 for an update on the next day’s public viewing meeting time and location. If you plan to attend the gather, you must RSVP by 6 p.m. PT on the day prior and leave a voicemail with the first and last name of everyone in your party. Observers must provide their own 4-wheel drive high clearance vehicle, appropriate shoes, clothing, food, water, and extra gas.
Adoption Information:
Wild burros removed from the Centennial, Panamint and Slate Range herd areas will be transported to the Ridgecrest Wild Horse and Burro Regional Corrals and made available for adoption or purchase through the Wild Horse and Burro Adoption and Sales Program. For information on how to adopt a wild horse or burro click HERE.
Background:
Gather operations may require related emergency closures. If an emergency closure becomes necessary, the closure order will be posted here.
- Daily Gather Reports
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FINAL GATHER OVERVIEW FOR: California Panamint – Centennial – Slate Range Complex and Outside Herd Area
SUMMARY:
The COR and Contractor made determination at 7:00 PM 5/05/2022 to conclude the gather based on the following reasons:
-Naval Air Weapons Station – China Lake (NAWSCL) Range Scheduling was only allowing access for airspace during the weekends.-The Slate Range Drive Trap that requires an escort to cross Searle Dry Lake by Searles Valley Minerals is only available during the weekday. The only availability to conduct aircraft operations in NAWSCL airspace is the weekends.
-Burros were found in higher elevations within NAWSCL and Death Valley National Park. Distances to drive these burros to a drive trap or roping site on BLM lands was too far.
-Due to the restrictions NAWSCL accessing burros within the base boundaries, limited the success of placement of Drive-Traps and more effort was placed on roping burros along the Argus Mountain Range within the Centennial HA on BLM administered lands.
5/05 was the last day of gather operations.
Thursday, May 5
Summary:
Animals Gathered: 9 Wild Burros (1 Jacks, 6 Jennies, and 2 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 9 Wild Burros (1 Jacks, 6 Jennies, and 2 Foals)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, 0 Jacks, 0 Jennies)
Animals Released: 0 (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 0
- Sudden / Acute: 0
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0
One jenny had minor rope burn on left shoulder and left hind above hock, treated with Vetericyn Plus.
The animals have settled in at the BLM's Ridgecrest Regional Wild Horse and Burro Corrals.
The gather has concluded.
Wednesday, May 4
Summary:
Animals Gathered: 2 Wild Burros (2 Jacks, 0 Jennies, and 0 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 2 Wild Burros (2 Jacks, 0 Jennies, and 0 Foals)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, 0 Jacks, 0 Jennies)
Animals Released: 0 (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 0
- Sudden / Acute: 0
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0
Operations ended early due to high winds.
The animals have settled in at the BLM's Ridgecrest Regional Wild Horse and Burro Corrals.
There will be opportunities for the public to view operations tomorrow. Information on viewing opportunities is available on an information line at 760-428-0382. The information is updated every evening after 6 p.m.
Tuesday, May 3
Summary:
Animals Gathered: 17 Wild Burros (8 Jacks, 7 Jennies, and 2 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 17 Wild Burros (8 Jacks, 7 Jennies, and 2 Foals)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, 0 Jacks, 0 Jennies)
Animals Released: 0 (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 0
- Sudden / Acute: 0
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0
One jack had a small abrasion to his forehead and was treated. One jenny had a slightly lame right front leg.
The animals have settled in at the BLM's Ridgecrest Regional Wild Horse and Burro Corrals.
There will be opportunities for the public to view operations tomorrow. Information on viewing opportunities is available on an information line at 760-428-0382. The information is updated every evening after 6 p.m.
Monday, May 2
Summary:
Animals Gathered: 16 Wild Burros (10 Jacks, 6 Jennies, and 0 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 16 Wild Burros (10 Jacks, 6 Jennies, and 0 Foals)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, 0 Jacks, 0 Jennies)
Animals Released: 0 (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 0
- Sudden / Acute: 0
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0
No deaths. One jenny had an old injury to the right hind hock and was shipped to corrals for further evaluation by the attending veterinarian and treatment as indicated.
The animals have settled in at the BLM's Ridgecrest Regional Wild Horse and Burro Corrals.
There will be opportunities for the public to view operations tomorrow. Information on viewing opportunities is available on an information line at 760-428-0382. The information is updated every evening after 6 p.m.
Sunday, May 1
Summary:
Animals Gathered: 51 Wild Burros (15 Jacks, 25 Jennies, and 11 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 51 Wild Burros (15 Jacks, 25 Jennies, and 11 Foals)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, 0 Jacks, 0 Jennies)
Animals Released: 0 (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 1
- Sudden / Acute: 1
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0
There was 1 acute/sudden death of a jenny - head injury from tripping.
The animals have settled in at the BLM's Ridgecrest Regional Wild Horse and Burro Corrals.
There will be opportunities for the public to view operations tomorrow. Information on viewing opportunities is available on an information line at 760-428-0382. The information is updated every evening after 6 p.m.
Saturday, April 30
Summary:
Animals Gathered: 8 Wild Burros (6 Jacks, 2 Jennies, and 2 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 8 Wild Burros (6 Jacks, 2 Jennies, and 2 Foals)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, 0 Jacks, 0 Jennies)
Animals Released: 0 (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 0
- Sudden / Acute: 0
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0
The animals were caught without incident and have settled in at the BLM's Ridgecrest Regional Wild Horse and Burro Corrals. There were no animal injuries or deaths.
The capture site has been moved to a new location. There will be opportunities for the public to view operations at this capture site. Information on viewing opportunities is available on an information line at 760-428-0382. The information is updated every evening.
Friday, April 29
Summary:
Animals Gathered: 23 Wild Burros (11 Jacks, 10 Jennies, and 2 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 23 Wild Burros (11 Jacks, 10 Jennies, and 2 Foals)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, 0 Jacks, 0 Jennies)
Animals Released: 0 (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 0
- Sudden / Acute: 0
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0
There were no animal injuries
One chronic injury: Jack, estimated to be 11 to 15 years old, exhibited lameness in his right front foot due to hoof contraction. He is provided with opportunities the rest and the corral staff is monitoring.
The animals arrived at the Ridgecrest Regional Wild Horse and Burro Facility and went to feed and water.
Gathering will continue at the same capture site tomorrow. Topography does not allow for safe public observation.
Anyone interested is welcome to visit the corrals between 3 and 4 p.m. daily during this gather operation.
Thursday, April 28
No Gather today due to high winds.
Gathering will continue at the same capture site tomorrow, and there are no opportunities for public viewing because topography (steep-walled cliffs at the capture corral) do not have areas for members of the public to safety view operations. Tomorrow's weather forecast is for high winds, and that has the potential to disrupt safe helicopter operations.
Anyone interested is welcome to see the newly arrived burros when the corrals, 3647 A Randsburg Wash Road, Ridgecrest, opens for public viewing from 3 to 4 p.m. daily.
Wednesday, April 27
Summary:
Animals Gathered: 21 Wild Burros (11 Jacks, 9 Jennies, and 1 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 21 Wild Burros (11 Jacks, 9 Jennies, and 1 Foals)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, 0 Jacks, 0 Jennies)
Animals Released: 0 (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 0
- Sudden / Acute: 0
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0
There were no animal injuries or deaths. All animals have arrived at the Ridgecrest Regional Wild Horse and Burro Facility and have moved to feed and water with no issues.
Gathering will continue at the same capture site tomorrow, and there are no opportunities for public viewing because topography (steep-walled cliffs at the capture corral) do not have areas for members of the public to safety view operations. Tomorrow's weather forecast is for high winds, and that has the potential to disrupt safe helicopter operations.
Anyone interested is welcome to see the newly arrived burros when the corrals, 3647 A Randsburg Wash Road, Ridgecrest, opens for public viewing from 3 to 4 p.m. daily.
Tuesday, April 26
Summary:
Animals Gathered: 21 Wild Burros (5 Jacks, 14 Jennies, and 2 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 21 Wild Burros (5 Jacks, 14 Jennies, and 2 Foals)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, 0 Jacks, 0 Jennies)
Animals Released: 0 (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 0
- Sudden / Acute: 0
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0
Wranglers roped eight of these animals that did not enter the capture corral. No injuries or deaths. No injuries to personnel. There were no public viewing opportunities because of safety issues related to location of the capture site.
Operations will continue at the same site Wednesday, April 27. Because of safety concerns due to accessing the capture trap there will be no public viewing opportunities. Viewing opportunities are expected to open up in coming days when the capture site moves to a safer and more accessible location.
Monday, April 25
Summary:
No deaths, no injuries to animals or staff. Animals were shipped to the Ridgecrest Regional Wild Horse and Burro Facility on Highway 178 in Ridgecrest. The corrals will open for viewing of gathered animals tomorrow, April 26, at 3 p.m.
There was no provision for public observation because of safety concerns with a tight capture sights. The capture site will be in the same location tomorrow, and there are no safe observation areas available.
Observation opportunities will open up when the gather moves into Panamint Valley over the next few days.
Animals Gathered: 13 Wild Burros (7 Jacks, 4 Jennies, and 2 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 13 Wild Burros (7 Jacks, 4 Jennies, and 2 Foals)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: (0 Stallions, 0 Mares, 0 Jacks, 0 Jennies)
Animals Released: 0 (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 0
- Sudden / Acute: 0
- Pre-existing / Chronic: 0
Gather Status
Gather Concluded on 5/5/2022
Final Count:
Animals Gathered: 181
181 Wild Burros (76 Jacks, 83 Jennies, and 22 Foals)
Animals Shipped: 181
181 Wild Burros (76 Jacks, 83 Jennies, and 22 Foals)
Animals Treated with Fertility Control: 0
Animals Released:
0 Wild Burros (0 Jacks, 0 Jennies, and 0 Foals)
Deaths: 1
-Sudden / Acute: 1
-Pre-existing / Chronic: 0
Scroll to the bottom of this gather page for detailed “Daily Gather Reports"