Media Contact:
Jason VanBuskirk
jvanbuskirk@blm.gov
928-466-6938

KINGMAN, Ariz. — The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Kingman Field Office will begin gathering wild burros in and around the Black Mountain Herd Management Area (HMA) in northwestern Arizona, starting April 2, 2026.

The BLM plans to gather and remove approximately 500 excess wild burros to address public safety concerns, reduce property damage, and support long‑term herd and rangeland health. BLM contractors will conduct gather operations using temporary bait and water traps consisting of corral panels stocked with water and forage. No helicopters will be used.

Burros gathered during operations will be transported to the Axtell Off‑Range Corral in Axtell, Utah, where they will be checked by a veterinarian and prepared for the BLM’s Adoption and Sales Program.

The Black Mountain HMA spans roughly 1.1 million acres, with gather operations focused on approximately 500,000 acres where burros are most concentrated. The HMA parallels the eastern shoreline of the Colorado River from Hoover Dam south to Interstate 40. The current estimated population is approximately 3,896 wild burros as of March 2026, substantially exceeding the appropriate management level (AML) of 478 burros.

The BLM aims to carry out safe, effective, and humane gathering operations, with a strong focus on the welfare of the animals. Gather reports and updates will be posted online at the 2026 Black Mountain HMA Wild Burro Gather page.

For information on adopting or purchasing a wild burro, visit www.blm.gov/whb.

About BLM
The Bureau of Land Management manages about 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.