The planned start date was June 25, according to the latest schedule, but the actual start date was July 4, according to the daily reports, with 64 animals taken through July 6.
The operation, not announced at the BLM news site, involves public and private lands in and around the Cibola National Wildlife Refuge, west of the HMA.
The AML is 165 burros and 150 horses but only burros are targeted.
The removal goal is 200, to be achieved with bait and water traps. The incident is not open to public observation.
Captured animals will be taken to the off-range corrals in Florence, AZ.
Last year, around 300 burros were removed from the area. The actual number is not clear due to data quality issues.
Western Horse Watchers Association 