The Truth About Wild Donkey Birth Control
Why Fertility Control Alone Can’t Solve the Overpopulation Crisis
A message from Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue and the Wild Burro Project
At Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue (PVDR), we are proud to lead the Wild Burro Project, managing and capturing wild donkeys across 5.5 million acres in Death Valley National Park, Mojave National Preserve, NASA Goldstone, US Army Fort Irwin, multiple state and government agencies and private properties. These donkeys are not federally protected, and without intervention, they face a far worse fate: lethal removal.
Public concern about humane management is growing and rightly so. One of the most common questions we receive is, “Why don’t you just use birth control?” The short answer: we do when we can, but birth control alone is not enough.
Let’s explore the facts.
Why Wild Donkey Populations Must Be Managed
And Why PVDR’s Intervention Saves Lives
Wild donkeys are not native to North America. They are descendants of the Wild African Ass, and were brought over as domesticated animals by Christopher Columbus, hundreds of years ago. Donkeys were left to roam freely by ranchers and prospectors once military vehicles became accessible to everyday people. Donkeys thrive in arid regions, but so does fragile desert wildlife.
Left unmanaged, wild donkey populations quickly exceed what the land can support. Overpopulation leads to:
- Overgrazing of sensitive desert plants
- Damage to water sources critical to native species
- Erosion and soil degradation
- Conflicts with human land use, such as agriculture, ranching, and infrastructure
The donkeys PVDR captures are not on federally protected BLM land. Instead, they roam on private, tribal, state, and military land where they are considered feral livestock or nuisance animals and are NOT protected under the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act.
This means that, legally, these donkeys can be shot or otherwise destroyed to protect land and resources.
As wild donkey populations grow unchecked, they increasingly wander into nearby towns, neighborhoods, and roadways in search of food and water. This creates serious public safety and property concerns, including:
- Traffic hazards from donkeys crossing roads, train tracks, and congregating on highways
- Damage to landscaping, gardens, and irrigation systems
- Disruption to domestic animals and pets
- Sanitation issues from droppings and overturned trash bins
- Disease and parasite transmission
These encounters not only endanger the donkeys but also strain local resources. Local municipalities and animal control shelters are not equipped with either the expertise or resources to safely capture, manage, or rehome wild burros, often leaving them no choice but to pursue removal through lethal means or emergency response. PVDR’s Wild Burro Project reduces these conflicts by removing donkeys humanely before municipalities are forced to take lethal action.
Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue offers the only large-scale, humane alternative. Through our Wild Burro Project, we humanely capture, sterilize, and relocate wild donkeys into sanctuaries or adoptive homes saving hundreds of lives each year.
The Appeal and Limits of Birth Control
Fertility control, especially the use of immunocontraceptives like PZP, can reduce birth rates in small, contained herds. It is:
- Non-lethal
- Reversible
- Preserves hormonal and social behaviors
However, applying these methods in vast wild environments is neither practical nor effective on its own.
Key Challenges:
- Annual Boosters Are Required
Most contraceptives require reapplication every 12 months. In 5.5 million acres of rugged terrain, finding and darting the same donkey repeatedly is nearly impossible. - Tracking Is Unreliable
Without microchips or markings, it's difficult to tell which jennies (females) have been treated leading to duplication or omission. - Many Jennies Are Already Pregnant
Immunocontraceptives cannot end pregnancies. Any treated jenny will still give birth, delaying population impact for a full reproductive cycle. Donkeys carry a pregnancy from 12-14 months. - Donkeys Are Not Horses
Most research on fertility control is done on horses. Donkeys have different reproductive patterns and may not respond the same way, making contraceptives less effective or predictable. - It Takes Too Long
Even with perfect application, birth control takes years or even decades to reduce populations. Meanwhile, environmental degradation and legal pressures continue to escalate.
Permanent Female Sterilization
While sterilization is often suggested, female donkey sterilization is invasive, high-risk, and impractical in remote field conditions. Surgical procedures require anesthesia, sterile environments, and post-op care none of which are reliably available in wild settings.
The Danger of Releasing Castrated Males into the Wild
Castration is often viewed as a permanent and simple fix but releasing castrated males (geldings) back into wild herds still containing intact jacks creates major welfare issues.
Why?
- Social Rejection: Wild herds have strict hierarchies. Castrated males cannot compete but may still be perceived as threats leading to constant aggression and injury from dominant jacks.
- Isolation and Vulnerability: Without a herd to protect or guide them, castrated males are pushed into isolation, where they are more likely to suffer from starvation, dehydration, or predation.
- No Benefit in the Wild: Castration removes reproductive capacity, but not survival advantages. Releasing castrated males helps no one and harms the animal.
At PVDR, we do not return geldings to the wild. Doing so is not only counterproductive but inhumane, as it sets the animal up for suffering or early death. Instead, we place them in sanctuaries or adoption programs where they can live safely and peacefully.
PVDR’s Holistic, Humane Solution
Rather than relying on a single method, PVDR takes a comprehensive approach:
✅ Humane Capture from Threatened Lands
✅ Veterinary Care and Castration (males)
✅ Sanctuary Placement or Adoption
✅ Public Education and Policy Advocacy
✅ Coordination with Landowners and Agencies
Our method respects the land, the law, and the life of each donkey.
Conclusion: Responsible Management Saves Lives
Donkeys are resilient, intelligent animals, but without proper management, they suffer. And so do the environments and communities around them.
Fertility control has a role to play, but it is not a substitute for the boots-on-the-ground work PVDR performs every day across millions of acres. We don't just control populations, we rescue lives, protect ecosystems, and offer second chances.
If PVDR did not intervene, these donkeys would face destruction.
Because we do, they find safety, sanctuary, and respect.
We invite you to support a comprehensive, evidence-based approach that ensures the welfare of wild donkeys and the sustainability of their environment.
Support the Wild Burro Project
Learn more at www.wildburro.org