BLM burro roundup in Arizona starts amid criticism

The Bureau of Land Management is conducting a burro roundup in southern Arizona despite objections from animal advocates as well as a congressman. BLM spokeswoman Deborah Stevens said the agency started a two-week roundup Wednesday of 350 wild Arizona burros in the Yuma desert. The roundups are done using a helicopter. In a video of a roundup that took place in southern Arizona, a burro was chased in circles and even knocked over at one point. The BLM says there's a good reason for this -- overgrazing is preventing the regrowth of vegetation. Some are calling it abuse. "It is everything that I have in me to watch animal abuse. For the BLM to claim there is no abuse. You actually see the skids of the helicopter and exhausted confused tired burro. This is very very upsetting," said Julianne French. Rep. Raul Grijalva and animal preservation groups have criticized the BLM for not postponing the roundup. They say roundup activity should stop at 90 degrees because of possible dehydration and other dangers...more

Here is the Fox News affiliate's report. One of the hosts has seen burros "perched" on the hillsides.  Have you ever seen a burro "perch"?  And check out that helicopter pilot - all he needs is a good heeler.