The Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Kingman and Lake Havasu field offices have prepared an environmental assessment (EA) analyzing a proposed wild burro gather and removal and use of fertility controls within and near the Black Mountain Herd Management Area (HMA). The HMA is located in western Mohave County.  
 
The estimated wild burro population in the Black Mountain HMA is more than 2,200 — nearly four times greater than the target population of 478, creating impacts to landscape health and wildlife.  Additionally, wild burros that have wandered onto private lands outside the HMA seeking food and water have caused public safety impacts on area roadways as well as private property damage.

For these reasons, local communities have requested that the BLM address the wild burro overpopulation in the Black Mountains and return the HMA to its target population level.
 
The EA analyzes the use of fertility controls, sex ratio adjustments, and periodic removal of wild burros over a 10-year period to maintain the target population within the HMA. All action alternatives analyzed in the EA ensure the humane treatment of the animals. Any wild burros removed from the range would be made available for adoption or sale to good homes through the BLM’s Adoption and Sales programs.