Native species come first

Beaumont (Texas) Enterprise: Most Texans have nothing against donkeys. Though the critters may not be cuddly, they are part of our pioneer past. Yet when wild donkeys wander into Big Bend State Park from Mexico and threaten native species, suddenly they aren’t so lovable.

In fact, park rangers have shot about 130 far and are trying to wipe out the remaining 170. Park officials point out that the burros eat vegetation and drink water that native species — such as bighorn sheep — need in that fragile desert environment.

That has upset some animal lovers, and that’s not surprising. No one likes the thought of gunning down donkeys.

Yet burro backers tried to safely trap some of the foreign intruders in 2007 when this issue also flared up. They were unable to remove a single animal from the rugged terrain.

Unless someone has another solution, state officials should continue to protect native species first at Big Bend or any other state parks.