Reward Raised To $58,000 To Find Person Killing Burros In CA Desert

While this topic is a little different than what we normally cover, this topic is one that brings the wrong type of attention to the California desert. Since May, a total of 42 wild burro carcasses with gunshot wounds have been found along the Interstate 15 corridor between Halloran Springs, California, and Primm, Nevada, in various states of decomposition.

This week, The Platero Project committed $32,500 towards the reward, along with The Humane Society of the United States ($2,500), Lifesavers Wild Horse Rescue ($2,500) and Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue ($2,500). The new pledges join those of the Bureau of Land Management ($10,000), the American Wild Horse Campaign ($2,500), Return To Freedom ($5,000) and The Cloud Foundation ($1,000). Combined with the new pledges, the total reward is now $58,000.

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“I appreciate these organizations joining us in our pursuit to identify the perpetrators who are responsible for these appalling and senseless acts,” said Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt. “We are working with law enforcement and are determined to find those who are responsible, bringing them to justice.”

The burros found dead are from the Clark Mountain Herd Area in San Bernardino County. These animals are protected under federal law, like wild horses, and are considered an iconic part of the American West. Anyone found guilty of harassing, branding or killing one faces a fine of up to $2,000 and a year in jail.

“With the increasing reward now on the table, we’re confident that someone will come forward with actionable information soon. The cruelty involved in shooting these burros and leaving them to die warrants prosecution to the fullest extent of the law,” said BLM’s Deputy Director for Policy and Programs William Perry Pendley. “We thank the animal welfare groups for adding their voices to those organizations who value these iconic symbols of the West.”

“Wild horses and burros are an iconic part of the American West and part of our national heritage,” Pendley continued. “We will pursue every lead until we’ve arrested and prosecuted those responsible for these cruel, savage deaths, and we welcome the public’s help to bring the perpetrator or perpetrators to justice.”

The area that the burros have been found dead is managed by the Bureau of Land Management’s Needles Field Office. Bureau of Land Management law enforcement is leading the rapidly expanding investigation into the illegal killings, in coordination with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, California Highway Patrol and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to call the WeTip hotline at 800-78CRIME (800-782-7463) or visit the WeTip website.