State wants answers from federal land managers on burros

PHOENIX (AP) - Arizona wildlife officials are seeking to learn how the federal government plans to bring the burro population down.

The Mohave Valley Daily News reports that the Arizona Game and Fish Department has submitted a public records request to the U.S. Bureau of Land Management.

In its request, the department says any information will increase the state's understanding of the BLM's management operations on the issue.

Bullhead City Mayor Tom Brady has said the burro populations are growing at an alarming rate and creating ecological concerns.

Officials say burros damage wildlife habitats, crowd out other species and cost taxpayers millions.

Under the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act, the state should have no more than roughly 1,300 burros.

Surveys estimate Arizona's burro population as more than 4,400.

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