Dozens of wild burros illegally slaughtered

Federal investigators say someone has illegally shot and killed at least 46 wild burros in a remote part of California near Las Vegas over the past six months.

“It’s just an appalling and senseless act,” said Stephanie Boyles Griffin, a wildlife protection senior scientist for the Humane Society of the United States.

Authorities are offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone responsible for killing the burros, which are part of the Clark Mountain Herd Area in California’s San Bernardino County. Interstate 15 runs through the area, and authorities are asking for the public’s help in finding the killer or killers.

“We’re really looking for folks to come forward, help solve the case, and prevent this from happening again,” said Martha Maciel, a federal Bureau of Land Management’ spokeswoman. “We want to bring those persons who are guilty of this to justice.”

The burros were part of a free-ranging and federally protected herd, and anyone convicted faces a year in prison and a $2,000 fine for each dead burro. The most recent dead burros were discovered in August, she said.

The Humane Society of the United States is helping fund the reward, along with animal-rights groups.