Early explorers first introduced wild burros (Equus asinus) to North America from the deserts of Africa and parts of Asia as early 1600. Burros quickly adapted to the arid climate and marginal food sources of the desert southwest. These traits combined with their physical strength made the burros valuable work animals.
Mexican miners used burros to power their arrastres, a non-mechanized form of ore crushing later adopted by early Mormon miners in Death Valley. Burros were companions and pack animals to the first prospectors in deserts of Arizona, Nevada and California. As the miners discovered, they made excellent companions.
When the "single-jackass" miner was replaced by industrialized mining methods, the burro was no longer needed. Over the years, miners lost or released their burros into the deserts of the southwest. The burros adapted quickly to the tough desert climate. With the exception of the mountain lion, the burro has no natural predators in the southwestern United States. Man is the only enemy of the burro and wild horse.
Spotted Dog Press thanks the BLM for information on the Marietta Wild Burro Range.
Adopt a Burro or Wild Horse & Save a Life!
BLM Wild Horse and Burro Adoption Program
These animals need good, caring homes.
The Bureau of Land Management conducts satellite adoption programs throughout the year, across the country. More than 80 wild horses and 20 burros, including 40 wild horse foals from Nevada, went up for adoption at the Imperial County Fairgrounds in El Centro, California. The first wild horse and burro show was held by the BLM at the Tri-Valley Fairgrounds in Bishop, California in November 2001.
Most adoptions are held on weekends.
Why are these animals up for adoption?
Adoption is the most humane way to reduce the numbers of these animals on public lands. HUMANE REMOVAL of burros and wild horses from our public lands is the only way to remove them. We do not support the wanton killing and random shooting of these creatures.
What is the Marietta Wild Burro Range?
When the Marietta Range was dedicated, there were approximately 53,000 wild horses and burros on BLM and USFS lands. This number does not include the animals on lands managed by the National Park Service.
Marietta is a parcel of land, a protected reserve, set aside by the BLM where displaced burros and horses are released for their own safety from poachers.
The Marietta Wild Burro Range was formally dedicated in 1991, 20 years after Congress passed the Wild Free Roaming Horse and Burro Act to set aside a place where wild horses and burros could roam free and undisturbed:
"...wild free-roaming horses and burros are living symbols of the historic and pioneer spirit of the West... they contribute to the diversity of life forms within the nation and enrich the lives of the American people."
How can I see a wild horse or burro at Marietta?
The best place to see wild horses and burros is at the BLM's Marietta Wild Burro Range, the nation's first formally recognized Wild Burro Range. The photograph at the top of this page shows Spotted Dog Press publisher, Wynne Benti, standing near the summit of Mojo Mountain in the Excelsior Mountains with Teel's Marsh behind her. On this particular day, she followed two wild horses to the summit of Mojo and saw one herd of seven burros near Borax Smith's store.
How do I get to the Marietta Wild Burro Range?
In 1877, Marietta was a thriving town. One of the first structures you'll see coming into town on the right (north), will be the walls of a large stone building. This was Borax Smith's first store. Borax Smith, later of Death Valley fame, was a pioneer in borax mining. Burros can often be seen here. Please do not disturb them. Burros and wild horses can also be seen in Excelsior Mountains to the north above Marietta.
From Bishop, California, take Highway 6 north across the Nevada state line and turn left on Highway 360, heading north. Turn left again at the signed Marietta Wild Horse Burro Range road. Follow the dirt road to the old townsite of Marietta located on the north end of Teel's Salt Marsh, a huge dry lake (there are a few residents still living there - so please respect their privacy).
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