Red Rock burro graces pages of children’s book
Jackson and friends meet fans at Saturday’s signing
Bryce Hokanson has been coming to Red
Rock Canyon National Conservation Area since he was 1 month old. On that first visit, he met Jackson, Red Rock’s unofficial “spokesburro.”
That trip wasn’t too long ago — Bryce is eight months old now — but his dad, Eric Hokanson, insists it left its mark. “This is a special place for him.
So we had to bring him back today.”
On Saturday, Bryce reunited with his fourlegged friend for Jackson’s paperback debut and book signing.
“Jackson: The Red Rock Canyon Burro” is the story of Jackson, Carson the mustang, Millie the dog and Sam (the human),” Las Vegas author Leonie Mowat said. “They go on an adventure together and discover all that Red Rock Canyon has to offer.”
The children’s book, illustrated by Jackson’s former handler, Allison Sosa, is Red Rock’s first fully custom book, created by locals and featuring illustrations of Red Rock’s
BURRO
natural beauty.
Jackson, who is 7 years old, was adopted at 6 months old and trained by Sosa and her son, Samuel, who worked on gentling the burro so he could become a representative for Red Rock.
He makes monthly appearances at Red Rock Canyon’s visitor center where he helps visitors learn about desert wildlife.
“Jackson is here so visitors can interact with a real burro,” said Jackson’s owner, Blaine Benedict. “It gives us an opportunity to teach the public how to behave and not behave when they see burros in the wild. He’s also on the smaller end of a standard burro. So he’s right at eye-level with young children who come to learn about him.”
Both in person and in the book, Jackson emphasizes two important points: Wild burros are integral to Nevada’s history. And do not feed or touch them.
After moving away