FERAL DONKEYS KILLED IN S. TEXAS

            In the fall of 2007, perhaps as many as a hundred donkeys were brutally shot by

officials representing the Big Bend Ranch State Park in southern Texas.  Most of the shooting

was performed with little or no notice to many of the Park employees (many of which were

interviewed and voiced their disapproval in the slaughter). 

            Big Bend Ranch State Park covers over 300,000 acres of Chihuahuan desert wilderness.

It's been a state park since 1988.  It is rugged and remote land, which also encompasses two

mountain ranges.  For several centuries feral donkeys have lived in this area.  At one point,

big horn sheep apparently lived in the area too.  Now, park officials claim the donkeys must go

so they can re-introduce the big horn sheep which will compete for the same range.  The

big horn sheep already exist in three areas in Texas.  The drive to re-introduce the big horns is

primarily a financial concern. Texas holds lotteries for the chance to trophy a big horn. 

            The Park also manages longhorn cattle on the ranch.  They hold annual cattle drives

which brings in tourists.  Although the cattle are not native to the area either, one can only

speculate why the cattle may remain in manageable herds, but the donkeys must be eliminated.

            Letters to the Editor were sent by the dozens to the Big Bend Sentinel in Texas. Many were

from outraged animal lovers from throughout Texas and surrounding states. Most noted the

vicious way these donkeys were shot.  Many were hip and belly shots.  One article cited how

a young foal attempted to nurse off his dead mother.

            Quoting another letter to the Editor, Curt Swafford from Terlingua, Texas wrote; "I spoke

with Mr. Robert Garcia, the retired park police officer who first investigated the burro massacre

until Internal Affairs basically rendered his investigation impotent.   He feels the taxpayers have a

case regarding cruelty to animals under a law stating your cannot shoot an animal and leave it to

linger and suffer.  He tells me the mother burro suffered two weeks before she died, and he has

proof, evidence, and photographs."

            In January 2008, Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue from California toured Big Bend Ranch

State Park and evaluated the site and planned on a humane capture of several surviving donkeys. 

We are grateful for PVDR and the California Donkey and Mule Association donated $500.00

specifically for the rescue of feral donkeys in Big Bend Ranch State Park.  This will be a huge undertaking and donations will be gratefully accepted.  You can send your donations directly to; www.donkeyrescue.org    On that same site you can view the article written by Mark Meyers

regarding this issue.   Please take the time to look this site over. 

            What can we do?  Several things.  First and most important, we can send a donation

to PVDR specifically for this rescue.  Talk about this tragedy.....write letters.  Tell your friends. 

Send emails to people across the country.  Many people belong to a variety of chat groups on

the internet.  Get involved.   We challenge any other clubs, individuals or organizations in the

U.S. to match our donation.

            For those who are passionate about this subject, please join us in a letter writing

campaign.  Change will only come about when a lot of people request change, give valid reasons

and show support in unison.  We need to right a wrong.  Hopefully these donkeys did not die in

vain. 

            Presently feral equines are protected on federal lands by the "Wild and Free Roaming

Horses and Burros Act" of 1971.  It mandates that these animals shall be prohibited from capture,

branding, harassment or death.  Their populations on federal lands are kept in check by a round-

up and adoption system.  No such adoption system seems to be in place for feral equines on

state lands.  This is where the donkeys in Texas on state park land fall through the cracks. 

Simply put, they are on state land, not federal land. 

            Here's where your letters can help.  By writing elected officials in Texas, perhaps one

individual will introduce legislation to incorporate state park land in a similar law already on the

books with federal lands.

cw

donkranch@comcast.net