MISS ABBY IS CRYING FOR HER COUSINS IN BIG BEND RANCH STATE PARK

CC: Kevin.Good@tpwd.state.tx.us; Deirdre.Hisler@tpwd.state.tx.us; Ken.Watson@tpwd.state.tx.us

I have a friend who lives where my cousins live.  His name is Curtis, and he loves all animals.  He has really been upset about my cousins, and he has not let up the pressure on Texas Parks and Wildlife to give answers.  The answers that the directors have given are stunning and painful.  They refuse to understand how important we are to the ecosystem of the park. 

My cousins are returned North American natives, just like me.  They have lived in this park for centuries.  Now, because some power hungry people want to shoot bighorn sheep, they have decided that my cousins need to go.  It is wrong on so many levels.  Taxpayers should be livid over this.  Texans are paying to keep their state park open to enjoy the wildlife, not kill it.  

This just must stop, and my cousins need to gain recognition for their contribution to Big Bend Ranch State Park, not be shot!  The area saw tiny donkey prints, long before it saw horse prints or wagon trails.  This is because, as much as you may hear me complain about work, the fact is that no horse can endure what a burro can under the harsh conditions of the desert.  For this reason explorers took us not horses.  We saved many a guide, and explorer because we can find water.... anywhere.   We dig a small hole, we drink and so does anyone else lucky enough to be in our company. And, when we leave, the water is there for other wildlife and birds to enjoy.    My cousins the wild burros deserve State heritage species status.   And, for heavens sake.....Don't Shoot!

These are the questions my dear friend Curtis Swafford presented to Texas Parks and Wildlife over a period of months.  The answers are what made me cry.  I am a donkey, and I don't cry often, but this has made me really mad, and really hurt, all rolled into one.  So, Miss Abby is crying.  I am sorry my friends.  I can not be a brave donkey every single second.  The morning will bring me new strength and resolve to stop this atrocity.  

Curtis, I want you to know, that I love you for helping my cousins.  I will never be able to thank you enough.

#1:what are the dates the burros were shot and who were the shooters by name and title? what were the circumstances surrounding each shooting? if no one has ever been sent to BBRSP to shoot burros then how did the aforementioned burros end up shot,(name and title of shooters please)?

Answer: Resumption of feral burro control was reauthorized in June 2010.  Since that time, all shootings of burros have been performed by Barrett Durst, Jaime Sanchez and Drew Hufstedler; Park Specialist/Park Peace Officers assigned to Big Bend Ranch.  All shootings were performed when burros were encountered during the course of normal patrol or maintenance duties within the park.

·         4 burros on 8/17/2010, Fresno Canyon

·         2 burros on 10/7/2010, Guale Mesa

·         6 burros on 1/2/2011, Rancherias Canyon

·         4 burros on 1/22/2011, Rancherias Canyon

·         5 burros on 3/15/2011, Guale Mesa

·         7 burros on 4/16/2011, La Cuesta

·         6 burros on 6/18/2011, Rancherias Loop

·         6 burros on 6/22/2011, Rancherias Loop

·         4 burros on 7/4/2011, Tapado Canyon

·         1 burro on 7/10/2011, Grassy Banks

·         1 burro on 7/10/2011, Lower Madera

#2 were the burros destroyed in any other way other than shooting them?

Answer: TPWD only uses shooting as a method to eliminate burros.

#3 are you destroying the burros in the form of a scheduled action plan or just or by random selection?

Answer: Burros are destroyed only when authorized staff have the opportunity to do so in a safe and humane manner, when the burros are encountered during the course of normal operational duties.  There is no “scheduled action plan”.

#4 what is the census of the burros?

Answer: The department has not conducted a census of the burro population at Big Bend Ranch.  Department policy is to eliminate or minimize or the number of any and all feral and exotic species at Big Bend Ranch, as well as all other state parks.

#5 what methods do you use to arrive at that number?

Answer: At this time, staff has not attempted to count burros on the park.

#6 at what rate are the burros breading and what methods do you use to determine that?

Answer: At this time, TPWD is not attempting to gather this data.

#7 what is the mortality rate both natural and man made and what methods do you use to determine that?

Answer: TPWD has not attempted to determine this information.

 

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#1  have you shot or destroyed any burros at big bend ranch state park in 2009,2010,or2011?  

 Answer - Yes

#2  you stated in our telephone conversation on may 5th that only qualified shooters are allowed to shoot them. my question is how many qualified shooters are there;  

 Answer – There are 181 State Park staff members authorized to eliminate feral animals.  Some come to Big Bend Ranch SP (BBRSP) on assignment to do a variety of work functions.  No one has ever been sent to BBRSP for the purpose of shooting burros.

what criteria do you use to qualify them to become "shooters" - and what are their names and title/position at texas parks and wildlife?

Answer – See attached State Park Division Procedure

Kevin Good

Special Assistant to the Director

State Parks

512-389-4415

kevin.good@tpwd.state.tx.us

Welcome Los Lunas Ladies!

We are so excited!  We can not wait!  We have some new additions to our family waiting to make their way to Texas from NM.  Whew, it was close, but these gals beat the odds. They had the misfortune of ending up in Denis Chavez' kill pens in Los Lunas, NM.  But, a community of people got together and said, "Not on our watch!"  So, the rescue began.  There was Kristen who spotted them, and got the word out.  Brandi who alerted Marjorie in Texas, and then when she sent out a blast for help in the area, she was answered by some wonderful people who live in Los Lunas..  Dorothea Lotter led the rescue, and got them out of there.  It makes this donkey very happy to know they are coming here.

When Dorothea picked up the eleven lucky donkeys and brought them home, Moonbeam gave birth to Sunrise.  Sadly, Sunrise did  not make it.  I am so sorry, Moonbeam.  It must have been that Moonbeam was too sick and old, and had been through too much.  I can not wait to introduce her to Maybelene our 30 year old senior who has a similar story to tell.  Those two will have stories to share. And, she will be accompanied by another senior named Rose who just happens to look like Marjorie's therapist Nora.  Nora is leading the pack in the photo I shared.  I have just one thing to say besides welcome ladies.  That is keep you mouths off my coconut macaroons.  Those are purchased for only me!  I might share one with Moonbeam, just because......  Oh alright, I'll share them with both of you, just this one time.  After that, you'll have to stick to carrots and ginger snaps like everybody else here.  Welcome to TMR Rescue, girls.  Life for you has just changed for the better.

Ninth Circuit Grants Wild Horse TRO in Wake of BLM Ruling « Straight from the Horse's Heart

Now, people are using their brains. This donkey has been saying, use the courts, use the law, use whatever means at your disposal to save my ear challenged cousins! When we long ears are able to finally make it to a court room too, we will have this as precedent to follow. I know people know our more flashy cousins better. They are such show offs, while we donkeys work quietly, and ask for little in return. But, today, I am glad that my noble horse cousins will bring attention to my shy burro cousins. It is so important that people understand that because we are not so flashy, and well known, the people who make policy do not think there is anything wrong with shooting us. That would be unheard of in the mustang world. So, dear horse friends, today I am so glad people find you beautiful, graceful, and precious. Through you, they may learn about my families contributions to settling this great country. Through you, they may learn how remarkable we are in our own right.  Through you, they may find us and say, DON'T SHOOT THEM. They have as much value to our psychological well being as the mustang. I pray this will be the case. My cousins are really running out of time, and places to hide from the bullets.

Ninth Circuit Grants Wild Horse TRO in Wake of BLM Ruling « Straight from the Horse's Heart

EWA Announces International Equine Conference Speakers « Straight from the Horse's Heart

I want to bray this to the mountain tops. This is the best news a donkey could hear. Thank you, Marjorie for reading this to me! So, now this donkey is on a mission, to make sure that donkeys/burros are a part of the conversation, and not an after thought. We donkeys rock, and we know it. But, people just do not know us. They do not know our pure hearts, and ability to reason. They just do not know. That is why it is so important that we are not left out of the conversation. Do you remember the recent celebrity appeal that was made by Madeliene Pickens? She included the footage shot by my friend Carl Mrozek of the brutality used by the BLM on my cousins, but not one time, not one single time were we mentioned by name. Not even in the credits next to Carl's name. This can not be allowed to be. It is this attitude that is getting us shot. So, yes, I take this very personally! R.T., and Terry Fitch ROCK by the way. I am still waiting for Terry's magic hands to come over and rub my ears. But, she is busy with some really important work on my behalf, so I can be patient.

EWA Announces International Equine Conference Speakers « Straight from the Horse's Heart

A day at the salon for the Todd Mission Girls.

I love looking terrific for my friends, but the job of doing so is not one of my favorites.  I do have to admit, that if I MUST stand and have my perfect hooves pedicured that Walter is the guy for me.  I love a man on his knees, so from the very beginning he won me over.  Is he proposing?  Sorry, Walter I am holding out for the longest of ears, and yours are no where near in the running, but you do have great style with those wonderful suspenders.  Walter is absolutely wonderful with the youngsters too.  What would we do without this man?  Little Charles, fought, and wiggled and, how did Walter describe it?  Oh yes, like a "weed eater", very funny.  It was baby Liberty that was just amazing.  That young lady, after being through so much, stood like she had had her hooves trimmed a thousand times before.  She wasn't sure, at first, if he was planning on cutting off the whole hoof.  But, once he reassured her, she really seemed to like it.  Liberty, you must learn to make them appreciate your cooperation.  I have it down to a science.  They know I am unhappy, but I feign resignation to the task at hand.  It makes those treats flow.  Wink*,  you have to learn how to train a human.  Not to worry wee one, you have time, and I am a great teacher.

BBC NEWS | UK | England | Devon | House guest has meals on the hoof

THIS is the way donkeys SHOULD be treated! After all, we really do get a lot out of a news broadcast. My distant UK donkey cousin, Holly, came to the Cornwall family expecting, and oh my what a beautiful child she had. His name is Charlie. Sound familiar? We have a Charles here at Todd Mission Ranch too. Now, I have not asked for much. I am a humble donkey, and really prefer reading materials. But, since my hooves can't turn pages, it would be nice to have a flat screen TV. Also, I would like to look my absolute best when I go out, so I don't think it would be unreasonable to have a mirror. All of my friends who agree, would you PLEASE let Johnny and Marjorie know?!

BBC NEWS | UK | England | Devon | House guest has meals on the hoof

Advocates ask Congress to stop dangerous Kiger Mustang roundup in Oregon | Tuesday's Horse

My ear challenged friends have called on congress to help, but it has fallen on deaf, even shorter ears. The roundup is in progress. What are we to do? This is just not donkey logical. It makes no sense. My friend Marjorie has explained to me that humans use this thing called money. And, even more incredibly, that green stuff buys them power. It does not matter if they are brain dead, as long as they have money, and the power that it buys. My cousins the mustangs, do not have any of that kind of power. They live free on the land, they don't need it. So, it seems this donkey has got to find a way to make money for her friends and family to fight the evil that is happening. These really are beautiful horses, even with their short ears. I, Miss Abby, promise you that we will not give up, we will not give in, until all of my wild friends and family are free from the abuse that this thing called money creates. It is called GREED. It has no place in the wild lands of our ancestors. It has no place in the making of laws about our wild lands. Mother nature has done a terrific job of outlining the rules we should live by. As for me, I am a simple donkey, with a very big brain, and I prefer to listen to mother nature. Advocates ask Congress to stop dangerous Kiger Mustang roundup in Oregon | Tuesday's Horse