2020 Black Mountain Herd Management Area Gather

[Gather Complete]

Purpose of Gather

The purpose of the gather is to address an overpopulation of wild burros within the Black Mountain Herd Management Area (HMA) to achieve a thriving natural ecological balance, alleviate deterioration of the rangeland, to respond to requests to remove wild burros located outside of the herd management area in areas not designated for their long-term use and to address public safety and private property concerns. 

Details of Gather

The BLM plans to begin gathering approximately 500 burros from within the Black Mountain HMA beginning in September 2020 by utilizing water and bait traps throughout the HMA area. The gather will be conducted by BLM staff. For the purpose of this part of the gather no burros will be treated with fertility control. All gather operations will be overseen by the BLM Colorado River District and Kingman Field Office.

Public Observation

There will be no public viewing opportunities for this gather due to the nature of the gather. 

Adoption Information 

Animals gathered from the Black Mountain HMA will be available for adoption at the Florence Wild Horse and Burro Training and Off-Range Corral in Florence, AZ through the Wild Horse and Burro Adoption Program.  

How to Adopt 

Visit the BLM Wild Horse and Burro Adoption and Sale Program to learn how to adopt or purchase a wild horse or burro.  

Background

The Black Mountain HMA is in northwestern Arizona, 15 miles west of Kingman. The area parallels the eastern shoreline of the Colorado River for 80 miles, the Hoover Dam south along I-40. The current Appropriate Management Level (AML) for the Black Mountain HMA is 478 burros. 

Gather Reports

Cumulative Totals

Gather Complete: September 23-November 21, 2020

Contractor: In House

Gather Method: Bait trap 

Planned Gathered (#): 500 burros 

Planned Removed (#): 500 burros 

Planned Mares Treated (#): 0 

Current as of: November 30, 2020

Animals Gathered

September 23
26 burros (10 males, 10 females, 6 foals)

September 24
no burros

September 25
16 burros (11 males, 4 females, 1 foal) 

September 26
8 burros (6 males, 1 female, 1 foal)

September 27
14 burros (10 males, 3 females) 

September 28
no burros 

September 29
3 burros (3 males)

September 30
6 burros (1 male, 2 females, 3 foals)

October 1
2 burros (1 male, 1 female) 

October 2
4 burros (1 male, 3 females)

October 3
3 burros (3 males)

October 4
no burros 

October 5
8 burros (2 males, 3 females, 3 foals)

October 6
no burros

October 7
13 burros (2 males, 10 females, 1 foal)

October 8
10 burros (2 males, 7 females, 1 foals)

October 9
38 burros (8 males, 26 females, 4 foals)

October 10
no burros 

October 11
13 burros (9 males, 3 females, 1 foal)

October 12
no burros 

October 13
no burros 

October 14
33 burros (8 males, 20 females, 5 foals) 

October 15
12 burros (5 males, 4 females, 3 foals)

October 16    
22 burros (11 males, 5 females 5 foals)  

October 17
2 male burros  

October 18  
36 burros (24 males, 7 females, 5 foals)

October 19   
6 burros (5 males, 1 female)

October 20  
no burros

October 21  
15 burros (4 males, 10 females, 1 foal) 

October 22 
6 burros (3 females, 3 foals)

October 23 
9 male burros

October 24
9 burros (2 males, 4 females, 3 foals)

October 25
1 male burro

October 26
1 male burro

October 27
no burros

October 28
11 burros (1 male, 7 females, 3 foals)

October 29
11 male burros

October 30
20 burros (9 males, 9 females, 2 foals)

October 31
no burros

November 1
34 burros (15 males, 15 females, 4 foals)

November 2
6 burros (4 males, 2 females)

November 3
6 burros (5 females, 1 foal)

November 4
4 male burros

November 5
3 burros (1 male, 2 females)

November 6
3 male burros

November 7
0 burros

November 8
0 burros

November 9
0 burros

November 10
0 burros

November 11
2 burros (1 female, 1 foal)

November 12
1 male burro

November 13
11 burros

November 14
17 burros

November 15
0 burros

November 16
24 burros (16 females, 8 foals)

November 17
12 burros (10 males, 1 female, 1 foal)

November 18
8 burros (4 males, 2 females, 2 foal)

November 19
0 burros

November 20
0 burros

November 21
13 burros (3 males, 9 females, 1 foal)

Animals Removed Cumulative Total (#): 503

Total Deaths Cumulative (#): 3

Acute (#): 1

Chronic/Pre-existing (#): 2 

List animal’s age, color, gender and cause(s) of death: 

  • September 28: 1 male burro was found deceased in the holding corrals—Approximately 11 year old, grey, unknown reason of death.
  • October 23: 1 four-year-old grey female was euthanized. Jenny had a significant injury to neck area consistent with a fracture, unsure if the injury was gather related. Jenny had a foal, which was adopted out locally.  

  • November 11: 6-year-old grey female ran into panels.

Facility Destination: Florence facility

  • October 8: shipped 56 females and foals to Florence
  • October 9: shipped 56 males to Florence
  • October 20: shipped 56 burros (45 males, 9 females, 2 foals) to Florence
  • October 21: shipped 85 burros (10 males, 54 females, 21 foals) to Florence
  • October 30: shipped 56 burros (38 males, 13 females, 5 foals) to Florence
  • November 5: shipped 52 burros (40 females, 12 foals) to Florence
  • November 6: shipped 50 burros (48 males, 2 females) to Florence
  • November 20: shipped 62 burros (19 males, 28 females, 15 foals)

Total Released Cumulative (#):