Wild Burro Overpopulation Causes Safety Concerns in Beatty

Beatty, Nevada is facing a growing public safety concern as the population of wild burros in the area has significantly outnumbered its human residents. With approximately 637 residents living in Beatty as of 2023, the estimated 1,197 wild burros in the surrounding Bullfrog Herd Management Area are causing traffic jams, rummaging through trash, and presenting hazards on roadways, particularly along the faster U.S. Highway 95.

In response to these escalating concerns, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has initiated an emergency burro roundup, announcing that around 250 burros will be removed from their habitat. This area is 18 miles wide and 14 miles long, but it can only sustainably support between 58 and 91 burros. This crucial decision comes amidst a federal government shutdown, which has raised additional challenges for local wildlife management.

The rapid rise in the burro population has been troubling, as figures indicate that the number of wild burros in the area has quadrupled from 2023 to 2024. Local residents have voiced complaints about the interaction between humans and burros, including damage to lawns, fences, and sprinkler systems. The Beatty Town Advisory Board had requested annual burro roundups from the BLM since 2023 due to rising incidents and concerns over the animals damaging property.

The situation has become increasingly dire, leading to multiple incidents where burros were struck by vehicles. Notably, a sheriff’s deputy reportedly hit a burro near Pahrump, exemplifying the hazards the animals pose to road users. Nye County Sheriff Joe McGill has emphasized the dangers these wild burros present on roadways, calling for intervention to mitigate risks to both residents and animals.

As a part of the current emergency intervention, the BLM is utilizing temporary corrals equipped with food and water to capture the animals, avoiding the helicopter method that has drawn criticism for distressing the burros. Their last significant intervention occurred between 2018 and 2019 when 1,094 burros were removed from the area.

The 250 burros that are being rounded up will be transported over 400 miles to Axtell, Utah, where they will undergo veterinary checks before being prepared for adoption. However, concerns are mounting regarding the health conditions of burros at the Utah facility. In 2023, for example, 45 burros died due to stress-induced health issues, raising alarm among animal welfare advocates.

As the BLM implements this roundup, various advocacy groups are raising questions about the methods used and the long-term impact of such actions on both the burros and their natural habitat. Amelia Perrin, an advocate from the American Wild Horse Conservation, has highlighted the need for sterilization and responsible coexistence with wildlife as alternatives to roundups and removals.

As the situation unfolds, the community of Beatty and surrounding areas finds itself grappling with the dual challenge of wild burro overpopulation and ensuring public safety on roadways, pushing the conversation on wildlife management and community cohabitation forward.