Redwings Horse Sanctuary is home to a herd of burros that had been rounded up in Death Valley by the Parks Service. Had Redwings and other equine rescue organizations not intervened, these burros would have been shot.
The burro arrived in the Americas with the Spanish explorers and served in a variety of packing and farming jobs. During the gold and silver rushes burros became popular with miners who used them to pack their possessions while prospecting. When the precious metal veins disappeared the miners left their burros behind to fend for themselves. When the automobile arrived many more burros were turned loose, adding to the wild herds.
The Redwings burros are their descendants. Today burros are considered non-indigenous (alien to North America), and are being wiped out. Those advocating extermination claim burros compete with wildlife and livestock. Others defend and rescue burros to safe sanctuaries like Redwings.
The Redwings burros form a mob of long-ears who greet visitors at our gate. They crowd around to be brushed and petted, and fill each evening with a symphony of braying.
Drop by the sanctuary on your travels, check out our education center, and visit the burros, wild mustangs, horses, ponies, and Colonel the steer who all share the too-common story of escape from abuse and slaughter.
You can sponsor one of the burros, Jenny (pictured at left), to provide for her care for one year. See the Redwings Sponsorship page.
The Sanctuary, located at 47240 Lockwood-Jolon Road, is open Monday–Saturday, 10–4. Call 831-386-0135 for a tour. For directions and more information visit www.redwingshorsesanctuary.org.
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