Run WILD and FREE in Big Bear Lake
Check out the WILD SIDE of Big Bear, California, located in the San Bernardino Mountains of Southern California between Los Angeles and Palm Springs. Wild animals thrive in the Big Bear mountains and some, like the Black Bear, Mountain Lion, Bobcat, Fox and Deer prefer to hide from people and are rarely seen. Take a moment to look a little closer and you will find Bald Eagles, Peregrine Falcons, Ospreys and more birds soaring the Big Bear sky way. More common wild sightings are of the playful Squirrels, Chipmunks, Raccoons, Coyotes and wild Burros, also known as donkeys. WILD BURROS? Yes, that's no typo! Some of Big Bear's most treasured assets! Experience burros roaming free during the day and enjoy their evening he-ya calls that bellow throughout the land. It's an incredibly unique encounter for all to enjoy!
The wild burros are protected, graze the land, live in herds, and roam free among 35,000 acres of US Forest Service Land within the San Bernardino Mountains. There are plenty of destination spots to see the wild burros in Big Bear, near Baldwin Lake and Shay Meadows to encounter the burros in their natural habitat, as they roam, graze, rest and play.
Their arrival to Big Bear is still a mystery, but there are several wild stories that hint of burros escaping from movie sets or being released after their movie shoot. Some speculate that they were released from fox farms that collapsed during the Great Depression. Ranchers may have used the wild burros to keep coyotes and foxes away, as burros are known to be great protectors of livestock. Gold Rush miners, common in the region from the 1850s-1940s, may have used the burros to mine gold and later abandoned their burros and their failed mining operations during the great depression. Much of Big Bear has a rustic charm and the wild burros add to the history and mystery of this native landscape. Regardless of their origin, the burros transport us back in time to the historic days of Big Bear where your imagination can run wild and free. Known as “living symbols” of the West, the wild burro has been protected from capture and harassment, since1971. Wake up to views of the wild burros grazing the pastures, playing, or roaming the land. The Wild Burro and Burro Springs vacation lodges and cabin rentals at Big Bear Lakefront Cabins, both host views of the burros from the deck! It's a spectacular sight to see, while enjoying your morning coffee with a view. Please remember... don't be an A$$... (we couldn't resist) While they may seem friendly, enjoy the wild burros from afar and remember that any interactions with animals should be respectful and follow local regulations to ensure the well-being of the animals, your personal safety and the preservation of their natural environment. Please do not harm or harass the wild burros in any way. To cover your assets, appreciate them from a distance. Don't Forget - You can stay NEXTDOOR to the Donkeys at Wild Burro! From the Big Bear Lakefront Cabins team and the roaming wild burros www.bigbearlakefrontcabins.com See you soon! |
Facts to Chew On!
The Animal Welfare Institute has a great blog with Myths and Facts about wild burros and wild horses, discussing topics regarding
- MYTH or FACT : the need for population control for wild horses and burros on public lands
- MYTH or FACT : the need to help nourish wild horses and wild burros to protect from starvation
- MYTH or FACT : the impact that wild burros and wild horses have on the environment
- MYTH or FACT : the impact that wild burros and wild horses have on the eco system
- MYTH or FACT : the impact that wild burros and wild horses have on the native wild life
Check out the Animal Welfare Institute for the answers.