Wild Burro or Equus asinus

The Donkey and the Burro are the same animal but are named differently by the area where they are found. Also, the burro generally has a longer hair coat and has the black stipe across the shoulders.

Historically, these animals were used by mining prospectors because of their hardiness and ability to work long hours in harsh climates. When the gold rush ended the burros were abandoned or escaped and began to multiply. Since then, they have become wild. They can survive long periods without food by using shade and being active in early mornings and late afternoons. Their diet consists of grasses and shrubs.
Generally, they are less than half the size of a horse, with the average weight being about 400 pounds. A male burro is called a Jack, and a female is called a Jenny.

In 1971, the Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act designated the Bureau of Land Management as the responsible party for protecting and managing wild horses and burro in the Lake Pleasant, Arizona area. You are even welcome to adopt one of these burros.

Feral burros and horses have become a concern throughout many parts of Arizona. Feral burros and horses compete with native wildlife for forage and water, and have been observed to displace wildlife from water. Reduced access to water is particularly detrimental during drought. Feral burros and horses also alter plant composition, reduce plant diversity and cover, and increase soil compaction and erosion, thereby putting native habitats at risk. Because these non-native species have few natural predators, and effective management options are currently limited, their numbers have grown beyond those determined to be appropriate for federally-designated management areas in most parts of the state. This has resulted in growing concern about their long-term effects on the health of natural habitats and native wildlife. In addition, they have become a safety hazard for motorists in some parts of Arizona.