On to Feral Burros. Feral Burros were brought to this country in the mid 1800's from the deserts of central Africa to be used as "pack animals" for explorers, miners, and prospectors in the desert southwest. As those people died or mining dried up, the Burros were left on their own. So they have been wild and free for over 150 years.
I have had some wonderful experiences and gotten some wonderful photos of Feral Burros. I always found small herds of up to 14 or so. On this trip to Imperial National Wildlife Refuge, however, I only found six, and all were by themselves.
Feral Burros are beautiful. A bold dark strip down their shoulder, thinner black stripes on their legs, and black "lightning bolts" through their ears. Unfortunately, the public's perception is quite the opposite. (The expression "jack ass" doesn't conjure up anything very beautiful and is normally not an expression of love and admiration). Two years ago I was looking for Feral Burros in Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge and was stopped by a Border Patrol Agent. When I told him I was there looking for Feral Burros to photograph his reply was "why would you want to do that?" There has been much written over the past few years about Feral Burros -- all negative. Articles talk about the destruction of habitat. And so, authors call out for the removal of Burros (which for the most part means killing them). There are about 5,000 Feral Burros in the US, but over 20 million deer, 93 million cattle, and 7 million sheep. Yet, it is the Feral Burro that destroys habitat -- with little concern for deer, cattle, or sheep.
Anyway, after returning home from my trip I found an article saying that earlier this month 353 Feral Burros were rounded up at Imperial and shipped off to California. And, for this I am really sad.............. I can't think about that anymore, so ...
Here are a few of the Feral Burro photos from this trip:
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