Pesky burros to be removed from desert Army base

[August 01, 2009]  FORT IRWIN, Calif. (AP) -- Bureau of Land Management officials say as many as 100 wild burros will be rounded up in the Mojave Desert next month and put up for adoption because they keep invading the Fort Irwin Army base.

The BLM says the donkeys are attracted by natural springs of water in the area.

A fort official says training is halted each time the burros roam through live-fire areas.

They also impact the habitat of the threatened desert tortoise.

The BLM plans to remove the donkeys beginning in late August. There have been two previous roundups. The BLM says burros are popular, so finding homes for them should be no problem.

[Associated Press]

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