California officials accused of lying as 256 burros vanish overnight

Moreno Valley, California – In December, a routine contract between the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health and the Texas-based nonprofit Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue took a dramatic turn, quickly followed by controversy and public outcry. The contract, which aimed to capture and relocate wild burros from Reche Canyon in California’s Inland Empire, has turned into a flashpoint for a clash between local residents and animal welfare advocates.

The burros, descendants of animals released by ranchers in the 1950s, have long roamed the canyon areas, creating a unique mix of rural and suburban life. However, in recent years, their population boomed. According to Peaceful Valley’s executive director, Mark Meyers, the population in the area grew from 250 in 2009 to over 1,000 by 2024. The burros’ presence, while beloved by some, has raised safety concerns, particularly on busy roadways like Reche Canyon Road, where accidents and fatalities involving the animals have occurred.

When Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue, a nonprofit that manages over 5.5 million acres of wild donkey habitat across the West, was contracted to help manage the population, its mission was to humanely capture and relocate the burros to sanctuaries or adoptive homes. However, the operation quickly became controversial when rumors of animal cruelty and housing developments surfaced, fueling public backlash.

Residents like Mandy Miller, who has lived in Reche Canyon for 15 years, launched a petition calling for the county to end its contract with Peaceful Valley and relocate the animals locally. Miller and others argue that the burros are part of the area’s identity, and their removal, especially to Texas, is unjust. “It’s easier to blame the donkeys than fix the road,” Miller said, voicing concerns over infrastructure issues in the canyon.

The county, under pressure from residents, responded by terminating the contract with Peaceful Valley in January. In an official statement, San Bernardino County acknowledged the concerns of the community but emphasized the need to protect both the burros and public safety. “While we appreciate the work of Peaceful Valley, we recognize the significance of local involvement in this issue,” said a county representative.

Meanwhile, Peaceful Valley has stated it will not return the animals. Meyers, who has received threats over the relocation, explained that once the burros are in the organization’s care, they are considered its liability. The nonprofit has relocated the 256 captured donkeys to safe environments across its sanctuaries, but some local activists remain adamant about bringing them back. New petitions continue to circulate, with some supporters even vowing to travel to Texas to retrieve the animals.

While a new agreement between San Bernardino County and Riverside County-based DonkeyLand will address future population control efforts, the tension remains. As this strange saga unfolds, the debate over wild burros in California’s Inland Empire shows just how complex it can be to balance wildlife preservation with local concerns, further deepening the divide between those seeking to protect these animals and those worried about public safety.

For now, the donkeys remain in Texas, and the fight continues.