BLM officials to allow adoption of 45 burros

Utahns will get the opportunity Saturday to adopt a living, breathing, hee-hawing remnant of the Old West.

Burros, released to the wilds by prospectors after packing mining gear by vehicles became more practical, have since thrived on the Western ranges. Sometimes the long-eared animals become so numerous, munching a great deal of forage that native wildlife and livestock might use, that the Bureau of Land Management has to round up burros and offer them to the public for adoption.

This is one of those times. On Saturday, BLM officials will allow adoption of 45 burros. Members of the public can inspect the little creatures starting 8 a.m. Saturday at the agency's Wild Horse and Burro Center, 8605 W. 12600 South, Herriman.

The adoption will continue from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., added Art DiGrazia, the center's facility manager. To reach the site from Salt Lake City, take I-15 south to the 126th South exit; drive past Herriman, and the site is marked by a sign before the road goes into Butterfield Canyon.

"They're from Nevada and they're in great shape," said DiGrazia. Usually burro adoptions are not conducted in Utah in the winter because many of the burros come from southern California or Arizona, where temperatures are warmer.

This group was rounded up in northern Nevada, however. "They're kind of winterized. They're used to the cold weather."

The goal, he said, is to find good homes for the burros, which are available in both sexes. In wrangler lingo, they are jacks and jennies. They have had all needed vaccinations, and undergone blood tests for disease.

"They've been freeze-branded by the BLM." The animals are eating alfalfa hay and getting used to domestication, he added.

Besides uses like riding and pulling carts, he said, "they make guard animals for cattle or sheep." When cattle are calving or sheep are lambing, they are vulnerable. Predators like coyotes might snatch a young animal. But the burros will help protect the herd.

Christmas is a nice time for a present of a burro, he believes. "I think people would enjoy having a burro . . . . They're in great shape," DiGrazia said.

The adoption fee is $125. Anyone who wants a burro must fill out an application and meet requirements for the facilities where the burro will be kept. "You have to have a good fence that's at least 5 foot high, no barbed wire fence, and a shelter to go along with that so that the animal can get in out of the weather, if it wants to."

For a year, an adopter will be a non-owning caretaker.

"After the one year the adopter can apply for the title. It does not come automatically," he said. Then, either the BLM will check on the burro's welfare or the adopter will have a veterinarian or farrier certify that it is in good shape.

If the burro is doing well after a year, a certificate of ownership is issued.

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