Authorities in California are currently looking for the people who are responsible for the deaths of over 40 wild burros in a desert in California.

Over 40 burros were found dead with shot wounds in the Mojave Desert between Halloran Springs California, and Primm, Nevada.

The dead bodies of the wild burros were found decomposing in the desert.

Grace Kuhn of the American Wild Horse Campaign said that this is a “mass killing” of wild burros.

Grace added, “They were shot and left for dead. They are America’s treasure and they should be treated as such — instead they are being treated as trash.”

One police officer alone found 16 dead wild burros.

There are 16,200 wild burros in the western part of the United States, and 4700 of them are found in California.

Grace said that the 40 wild burros that were killed were part of a herd that has around 120 wild burros.

The burros that were killed were all healthy, added Grace.

Since 1971, wild burros are being protected federally.

Grace said, “Before the Wild Horse Act in the 1950s, both burros and mustangs were hunted by ranchers and the hostility towards these animals continues until this day.”

Authorities believe that the person responsible for the mass killing is likely a hunter or a property owner who got annoyed by wild burros invading their property.

Grace said, “It really can be anybody. The average American or someone influenced by commercial interests.”

She added, “If there is an issue with a burro in the area, there is a way to mitigate the problem which doesn’t result in killing the animal. You don’t have to brutally gun them down.”

The Bureau of Land Management is currently offering a $10,000 reward for the person who can help the authorities arrest the person behind the shooting.

Anyone who knows anything about the shooting is being asked to share the information at 800-78CRIME (800-782-7463).

Anyone who has information may remain anonymous.