Wild Burros of Oatman, Arizona

Historic Oatman, Arizona is called a "living ghost town", as it has about 75 residents, who live there year round. Found in the Black Mountains of northwest Arizona, along the old Route 66, it used to be the center of several gold mines. When they were shut down and closed, the town today makes a living from tourism. South of Las Vegas and about 50 some miles to Lake Havasu City, riding to the town is an interesting way to spend a day. Among the museums, quaint shops, restaurants and bars, can be found a population of burros that have now become the face of Oatman. Interesting sites lie along an autombile or motorcycle journey to the town, set among the Mohave Desert. Desert flowers, an interesting goldfish pond, forests of Jumping Cholla Cactus, winding curves, mesas and arroyos, bighorn sheep and wild burros are among the sites. Specifically this videos captures the burros that give this wild west town, it's unigue flavor.

Oatman is very proud and protective of their burro population. The burros here are descendants of pack animals that were turned loose when their owners no longer needed their services with the shuttering of the gold mines. From the Oatman Chamber of Commerce, it says the burros are not owned by anyone and are allowed free range of the streets and storefronts of the town, whic is only eigth blocks long. The burros in town, though seemingly harmless and are very used to people should be remembered, as they tell the crowd, or warn the crowd in the afternoon "gunfight" reeactment, to be wary, that they can bite and or kick. Many people do feed and touch the burros, plus they do seem to like their picture taken, so just take Oatman's warning with a degree. Burros food pellets can be purchased inside various stores to give to the jacks and jennies. Now, the surrounding countryside where Oatman sits in the middle of, in Arizona is part of one of the largest wild burro areas and populations in the USA. Managed by the United States Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the Black Mountain HMA is where these burros call home. You can see burro caution signs, both north and south of the highway approaching Oatman. The Black Mountain HMA strectches along the Colorado River up towards Las Vegas (but not into Nevada) in the north, comprising over 1.1 million acres. Recently, the BLM rounded up over 1,100 burros at this HMA, which will be put up for adoption. A fun trip and definitely an incredible experience all around!

[BlackZorro-jdpg]

What's the purpose of all the donkeys?