Wild Burros Gather Near Loma Linda

The canyons surrounding Loma Linda are home to lots of wildlife, from squirrels to rabbits. In Reche Canyon, there is another unique resident: wild burros.

During a recent afternoon, several wild burros gathered in the area of Reche Canyon right next to the Loma Linda border. Two separate groups stood about one-quarter of a mile apart, one in a wild sunflower field close to the road and the other high above the traffic on top of a hill. They looked up occasionally at cars that passed by, but for the most part kept their heads down and focused on the field.

For a long time, no one seemed to know where the burros came from. It's thought that they have come to live in Reche Canyon due to a Rialto farmer setting some loose in the 1950s. Since then, the population - both of the burros and residents - has multiplied several times over. While most co-exist peacefully with residents and motorists passing through, many have been struck by vehicles, and either are killed instantly or sustain enough injuries that they must be euthanized.

There is an organization working to collect enough funds to give the burros reflective collars, as well as to pay for veterinarian bills when burros are sick or injured. Anyone looking to help can contact the Reche Canyon Burro Support group, which also accepts donations of temporary corrals.