Wild donkeys, commonly known as burros, are a distinct part of Arizona’s wildlife. These free-roaming animals are descendants of domestic stock that escaped or were released over the centuries. Their presence in the state’s arid landscapes is a consequence of historical events. Their populations are federally protected and actively managed on public lands.
Defining the Arizona Wild Donkey
The wild donkeys in Arizona are properly referred to as burros, derived from the Spanish word for donkey (Equus asinus). They are smaller than horses, with adults weighing 350 to 500 pounds and standing 44 to 48 inches tall at the shoulder. Burros are characterized by long ears, a short mane, and coats ranging from gray to brown. They often display the shoulder cross marking characteristic of their African ancestors. Their resilience, evolved in the deserts of North Africa and the Middle East, allows them to thrive in Arizona’s harsh environment.
The Spanish Colonial Legacy
The burro is not native to the Americas but was introduced by Spanish explorers in the 1500s. They were brought as pack animals, prized for their strength and ability to navigate difficult terrain. Burros were present in what is now Arizona as early as 1679, used at Spanish missions by figures like Jesuit priest Padre Eusebio Kino.
Their population grew significantly during the 17th through 19th centuries as settlers and miners arrived in the West. Burros became the animal of choice for prospectors during the gold and silver rushes, carrying supplies and ore through the rugged landscape. When mining operations declined and towns were abandoned, many of these work animals were simply turned loose. These abandoned and escaped animals became feral, establishing the wild populations that have persisted in the Arizona desert.
Where Arizona’s Burro Herds Roam
Wild burro populations are concentrated in designated areas across Arizona’s public lands, managed primarily by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). These specific habitats are known as Herd Management Areas (HMAs), which are set aside for the animals’ welfare. Arizona has eight HMAs for burros, covering approximately 2.3 million acres of rangeland.
The Black Mountain HMA is the largest in Arizona, spanning about 1.1 million acres in the northwestern part of the state. This area parallels the eastern shoreline of the Colorado River, providing access to water and forage. It is home to the descendants of burros used in the historic Oatman mining region. The Lake Pleasant HMA is another notable area, covering 103,000 acres of the Sonoran Desert northwest of Phoenix. Arizona’s other HMAs are located in arid regions and include:
- Alamo
- Big Sandy
- Cerbat Mountains
- Cibola-Trigo
- Havasu
- Tassi-Gold Butte areas
Federal Oversight and Conservation Status
The protection and management of Arizona’s wild burros are mandated by the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971. This federal legislation declares the animals “living symbols of the historic and pioneer spirit of the West.” It protects them from capture, harassment, or death on federal lands and tasked the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) with managing these populations.
The BLM manages burros to maintain a “thriving natural ecological balance” with other wildlife and vegetation in the HMAs. Since burro populations can grow by up to 20 percent annually without natural predators, the BLM controls herd numbers to prevent overpopulation and habitat degradation. Control is achieved through periodic removals, often called “gathers” or roundups, where excess animals are humanely removed. These removed animals are then made available to the public through adoption programs, keeping the wild population within the established management level.