News.bytes Extra, issue 508 

Burros and mustangs adopted along California Central Coast

Residents of California’s Central Coast provided homes for eight wild burros and three mustangs, when the BLM brought its wild horse and burro adoption program to Santa Maria Nov. 18 and 19.

Two of the adopted burros will have a prominent position in the community, taking up residence as part of an environmental education exhibit in the city’s Los Flores Ranch Park.    City Parks and Recreation Director Alex Posada said the animals, yet to be named, will be cared for by city parks staff and volunteers.  They will be part of continuing efforts to inform the city’s youth about natural resources and the environment.

At top, wrangler Louis Andreas moves a group of burros to sort out the two young Jacks for the city of Santa Maria.  Below, wrangler Dan Anderson walks the two donkeys toward the loading chute. In the third photo a young burro is patient as he is fitted for his first halter.

Wild horses offered at the event were from the Twin Peaks Herd Management Area along the California-Nevada border northeast of Susanville.

Wrangler Wayne Tachera moves a Twin Peaks mustang toward the loading area.

- Jeff Fontana, BLM Northern California Public Affairs, 11/21/11

BLM-California News.bytes, issue 508 -- To subscribe to News.bytes, send an e-mail to: mailto:Join-Newsbytes@List.ca.blm.gov OR visit our News.bytes subscription page.