This is a reproduction of Martha Mendoza'a original article. Please note that she is reporting allegations made by other parties, not presenting information as to her first hand knowledge. It is not the intent of this presentation to judge the credibility of these allegations.

(AP:Albuquerque, N.M) -- Corrupt federal workers are slaughtering wild horses and burros and pocketing profits rather than offering the animals for adoption, animal rights activists charged Tuesday.

At a news conference, the activists alleged that Bureau of Land Management staffers are selling thousands of wild horses and burros to slaughter- houses for $400 to $500 each and keeping the money.

They also charged that high-level BLM officials have tried to cover it up and sought to intimidate whistle-blowers.

"We are alleging there is a coverup going on right now in the BLM," said Karen Sussman, president of the International Society for the Protection of Mustangs and Burros in Sweetwater, Arizona.

The news conference was open only to reporters. BLM spokeswoman Tanna Chattin was shoved screaming from the room.

"I'm shocked they wouldn't let me in," Chattin said afterward.

BLM officials denied any coverup. But they declined further comment because the agency's law enforcement division is investigating the allegations.

Grant Vaughn, a U.S. Department of Interior attorney in Santa Fe, said there was some substance to the allegations. He said U.S. Attorney Alia Ludlum in Del Rio, Texas, was also investigating possible corruption in the BLM.

Members of the American Free-Roaming Wild Horse and Burro Alliance also alleged that BLM workers permit selected people to adopt the animals, fatten them up for a year and then to sell them to slaughterhouses.

The alliance sent a letter to President Clinton demanding that the U.S. Justice Department appoint a special prosecutor.

About 35,000 wild horses and burros roam free in the West, BLM has said. In 1971, Congress passed a law that said the animals, "living symbols of the historic and pioneer spirit of the West," deserve protection.

The BLM is responsible for caring for the animals, maintaining wild herds and allowing some adoptions -- for $125 each -- when the horses and burros become too prolific.

"But the BLM has not protected these animals. The BLM has thumbed their nose at the public and the law," said Nancy Whitaker of the Animal Protection Institute, based in Sacramento, Calif.

As proof, the activists in Albuquerque offered a letter from Reed Smith, who retired as New Mexico's BLM deputy state director for resource planning, use and protection in October 1994. Smith's letter says he came under "full-attack" by the BLM after speaking out about problems in the agency.