Wild burros causing problems for Arizona drivers

PHOENIX —
In Vermont it’s moose, in Montana it’s elk, but in Arizona, drivers have to contend with burros on the highway.

“For the most part, the animals don’t dart across the road, like a deer would or other wildlife,” said John Hall with the Arizona Bureau of Land Management. “They mostly just stand in the road and people don’t see them until the last minute.”

Hall said that last week a semi-truck was driving on U.S. 95 near Yuma during a rainstorm and killed five burros at once.

“Usually, it’ll be one,” he said. “At the most, two. This is the first time we’ve ever seen five hit at once.”

Hall said drivers need to be extra cautious in the early hours of the morning and late at night, because that’s when burros are most active.