The Wild Burro Project
The Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue is currently working on several wild burro projects in conjunction with the Federal Government. These projects include:
Private Ranches along the Mexican Border
The Mojave National Preserve
Death Valley National Park
NASA Goldstone Deep Space Communications
US Army Fort Irwin
BLM Sale Burro Project
In order to accommodate the influx of wild burros into the PVDR system, we have training facilities and transportation hubs in Texas. All healthy wild jennets will remain in Texas until the time they are ready for adoption. All jacks will also be kept in Texas to await castration during the cooler months.
The current budget for this project is >$10,000,000 over the next five years.
10 Year Project Estimate
10 Year Project Estimate
Note: The estimate was made with PVDR using outside contractors. We are now using PVDR employees instead.
Wild Burro Management
Why do the burros need to be removed?
Burros are a non-native species in the United States and can quickly overpopulate our deserts. Destruction to ecosystems, competition with indigenous species and damage to Native American sites are examples of the problems caused by lack of proper management.
How are the burros caught?
PVDR uses the most humane techniques to ensure that the burro’s first encounter with humans is not overly stressful. This makes them much easier to gentle and accept people. Using self catching traps at water sources is our preferred method.
What happens to the burros after they are caught?
All burros are given a RFID chip with a 15 digit number for identification purposes. They will have their blood drawn and tested for common equine diseases. Once cleared they will be safely transported to one of PVDR’s training facilities and made ready for adoption throughout the United States. Any burros with medical conditions that would make adoption difficult will be placed on PVDR’s main facility in San Angelo, Texas to receive medical care for life. Any burros deemed too wild or aggressive for adoption will be placed on one of Peaceful Valley’s sanctuaries, where they will have the sense of freedom while still receiving the same medical care as those on our main facility.
