You are here

Eleven Burros Found Dead Of Suspected Algal Bloom In Death Valley National Park

Share

By

Complied from NPS releases

Published Date

September 12, 2024

Remains of two of the eleven dead burros near Owls Hole Spring / NPS

The remains of eleven dead burros were recently found near Owls Hole Spring, in a remote area of Death Valley National Park. Park officials aren't yet sure of the cause of death, but they suspect a toxic algal bloom. 

The NPS warns that the water in Owls Hole Spring should be considered unsafe for humans or pets to drink or touch. In addition, people and pets should not handle any of the carcasses. Park rangers installed a warning sign.  

Algae and cyanobacterial occur naturally in water and are more likely to grow into a harmful algae bloom when water is slow-moving, warm, and contains high levels of nitrogen and phosphorous, such as from fertilizer or sewage, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).   

All three of those conditions existed at Owls Hole Spring this summer where the water is stagnant. Death Valley experienced its hottest summer on record this year and feral burros defecated in and near the water.  

So far only dead burros have been found, but other animals were likely affected. No pupfish live in this spring.  

“I hate to see any animal suffer,” said Superintendent Mike Reynolds. “The National Park Service is working to remove feral burros from Death Valley, for their own safety and to reduce impacts to native wildlife.”  

Burros are not native to Death Valley. The park’s estimated 4,000 burros are descendants of animals released by miners decades ago. The NPS seeks to relocate feral burros from the park. Due to lack of funding, roundups have not been conducted on a large scale since 2005. The Bureau of Land Management worked with the NPS to remove 43 burros in recent years. The nonprofit Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue has captured 256 burros from the park since 2018. The park has funding to resume roundups in fiscal year 2026.  

The easiest way to explore RV-friendly National Park campgrounds.

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

Here’s the definitive guide to National Park System campgrounds where RVers can park their rigs.

Our app is packed with RVing- specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 national parks.

You’ll also find stories about RVing in the parks, tips helpful if you’ve just recently become an RVer, and useful planning suggestions.

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

FREE for iPhones and Android phones.