BLM to begin Sinbad Herd Management Area wild burro gather
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PRICE, Utah — On April 30, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Price Field Office will begin gather operations to remove wild burros from within and outside of the Sinbad Herd Management Area in Emery County to help balance the number of burros to what the rangeland can sustainably support, known as the appropriate management level. The appropriate management level for this herd management area is 50-70 animals and the current population is estimated at 328 wild burros, which is a threat to the long term health of the land and the burros themselves. The gather is expected to last approximately 15 days.
The BLM will gather approximately 300 wild burros from BLM-administered lands using the helicopter drive-trapping method. Population growth suppression will be implemented to help stabilize the annual increase of animals being born on the Sinbad Herd Management Area. Burros removed from the range will be transported to the Axtell Wild Burro Contract Off-Range Corral/Pasture in Axtell, Utah, where they will await adoption.
Opportunities are available for the public to observe daily gather operations through BLM-escorted tours, so long as conditions remain safe for both the burros and participants and gather operations are not disrupted. Observers must provide their own transportation, water and food. No public restrooms will be available. The BLM recommends weather-appropriate footwear and neutral-colored clothing. Binoculars and four-wheel drive or other high-clearance vehicles are also strongly recommended (possible snowy and muddy conditions). Details on the BLM-escorted tours will be updated each evening during the gather and announced daily on the BLM gather hotline at 801-539-4050.
Gather operations will begin on Saturday, April 30. Individuals, who wish to view the gather should meet at the Gas-n-Go convenience store, 970 West Main St., Green River, Utah, where tours will depart at 5:30 a.m. MDT.
Public lands will remain open, unless closures are deemed necessary to protect public safety. Outdoor recreationists and visitors to the gather area should be aware that there will be low-flying helicopters. During the gather, no recreational use of drones is allowed in the Sinbad Herd Management Area and surrounding lands within and near Mexican Mountain, Temple Mountain and the I-70 corridor from mile marker 124 to 149 or areas where wild burros may be found. Brief road closures may also be needed to allow movement of burros during gather operations.
Gather updates and information will be posted on the BLM’s website at: https://go.usa.gov/xunvc. The BLM (@BLMUtah) will also post updates on Twitter using the hashtag #SinbadGather. To learn more about how to adopt or purchase a wild horse or burro, visit the BLM National Wild Horse and Burro website at www.blm.gov/whb or call 866- 468-7826. For additional information, please contact Lisa Reid at 435-743-3128.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.