Imperial National Wildlife Refuge: Feral Burros: Part II

Here are four new Feral Burro photos just taken on my trip to Imperial National Wildlife Refuge.  When you come upon a group of them they tend to bunch up: the three in the top photo, and then the six in the second photo. I suspect that is a defense mechanism, making them look larger and more formidable to predators.  They range in color from dark chocolate (third photo) to light grey (last photo) and everything in between. Feral Burros are found within a hundred miles of the Colorado River (between California and Arizona) and then up into Nevada. There is controversy about their existence. Some argue that the population is increasing and destroying important vegetation for other wild animals and cattle. They further argue that since Burros are not native they should be removed (another word for destroyed/killed). Of course they are no less native than farm raised cattle, sheep, or goats. (And, no less native than a lot of "Americans." And, I would point out that the human population is also increasing and destroying important vegetation for wild animals). There are less than 10,000 wild burros in the United States. In comparison there are over 20 million deer in the US. Most Burros live in wilderness areas where the temperatures soar over 100 degrees frequently. It is not exactly prime real estate.  I see Burros as beautiful. I marvel at the freedom they now enjoy. I get excited when I see them, and would rather let mother nature determine their path. I don't mind trying to protect and preserve endangered populations of any animal. But even that requires careful study and thoughtful decisions. However, choosing one over another I would rather leave to nature itself.