The Burros at China Lake
Posted by April Nockleby, ALDF's Online Content Manager on August 19th, 2009
In March of 1981, the U.S. Navy secretly shot and killed 648 feral burros at the Naval Weapons Center in China Lake, California. In the organization’s first big case, ALDF, representing the Animal Protection Institute and the Fund for Animals, argued that the Navy had violated the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).The Navy subsequently released a draft environmental impact statement under NEPA, in which it advocated the shooting of all 2000-5000 burros in the China Lake area.
After months of negotiation, a settlement was reached on October 20, 1981, and the Navy agreed to allow the Fund for Animals to remove the burros (with the Navy paying them $50 per burro removed) and the Animal Protection Institute to adopt them out to safe new homes. There was no further shooting of burros.
We take a look back at this landmark case as we celebrate ALDF's 30th anniversary. Help us celebrate 30 years of winning the case against cruelty by signing ALDF's Animal Bill of Rights! Tell Congress that all animals deserve protection against exploitation and abuse by humans.
