Wild donkeys to be taken from Hawaii to California

[August 06, 2011]  HONOLULU (AP) -- In an effort to control the Big Island's wild donkey population, about 100 of them are being taken to California.

KITV reports (http://bit.ly/qqIQV0) the Humane Society of the United States is planning to remove the donkeys on a chartered plane next month. Humane Society's Hawaii director Inga Gibson says they'll go to animal sanctuaries.

Drought conditions led the donkeys from the highlands into a populated area in search of water. Donkeys were appearing near the highway and a school.

The Humane Society and a local veterinarian have been trapping and sterilizing animals from the rapidly growing population estimated at about 400 to 600 donkeys.

At the end of the month, a clinic is to be set up at a ranch to castrate captured male donkeys.

___

Information from: KITV-TV,
http://www.kitv.com/index.html

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.