Burro roundup starts in Arizona amid criticism
Jun 6, 2012, 11:46 AM
YUMA, Ariz. — The Bureau of Land Management is conducting a burro roundup
in southern Arizona despite objections from animal advocates as well as a
congressman.
BLM spokeswoman Deborah Stevens said the agency started a two-week roundup
Wednesday of 350 wild Arizona burros in the Yuma desert.
Rep. Raul Grijalva, D-Tucson, and animal preservation groups have criticized the BLM for
not postponing the roundup. They argued roundup activity should stop at 90 degrees
because of possible dehydration and other dangers to the animals.
Stevens said workers will cease the operation if temperatures rise above 95
degrees. She added a safety officer will monitor the temperature on an hourly
basis. There will also be a veterinarian on site.
Stevens said the BLM believes it can gather the burros humanely and will stop
if they are in stress.
