Federal land management officials are rounding up wild burros and horses from desert areas near Yuma to address overpopulation threats.
The Yuma Sun reports that the Yuma office of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management is holding an "emergency gather" of the free-roaming animals. The U.S. Army's Yuma Proving Ground asked for the roundup, citing an increase in crashes or near-misses between cars and wild burros or horses. The equines have also wandered into fields and ruined crops.
Rapid breeding allows the herds to grow by 15 to 18 percent each year.
BLM Rangeland Management Specialist John Hall says the office has so far captured 34 burros and 31 horses. The captured animals will be trained and most will be adopted.
