Brief
UC Riverside warns students as wild burros roam campus
The university posted photos of the animals and urged students not to feed them.
By Felo News Desk · Published
UC Riverside posted a warning on Oct. 9 after several wild burros were seen near Lothian Residence Hall and other campus areas, the New York Post reported.
What happened
The burros, which belong to a herd of several hundred that lives in the nearby Box Springs Mountain Reserve, have increasingly entered university grounds since 2021, becoming common by 2023. The campus has posted photos of two animals near a dormitory and reminded students to keep their distance.
What the reports add
The outlet noted that five burros were killed and a driver injured in a 2020 incident on the 215 Freeway, and six more died after a train strike in San Timoteo Canyon in 2021. It also quoted a community member who said the animals help manage brush and could reduce wildfire risk.
What was said
University officials warned that feeding the burros could alter their foraging habits and make them less wary of humans and vehicles, and they urged drivers to slow down on campus roads.
Key facts
- UC Riverside issued a warning about wild burros on campus (nypost.com)
- Burros have been spotted near Lothian Residence Hall (nypost.com)
- Five burros were killed in a 2020 freeway incident (nypost.com)
- Six burros died in a 2021 train collision (nypost.com)
- A community member said the burros help manage brush (nypost.com)
Timeline
- 2020-01-01 — Five burros killed and a driver injured on 215 Freeway
- 2021-01-01 — Six burros died after being struck by a train in San Timoteo Canyon
- 2021-01-01 — Burros began appearing more frequently on campus
- 2023-01-01 — Burros became a commonplace sight at UC Riverside
- 2026-10-09 — University posted warning and photos of burros near dorms
Sources
- [1] nypost.com — originally reported as “Wild donkeys take over Califronia UC campus as university issues warning to students”
