BLUE DIAMOND, Nev., Sept. 23 (UPI) -- The U.S. Bureau of Land Management said it held an adoption event in Nevada for wild burros after many of the animals became accustomed to being fed by humans.
The adoption event took place Saturday near Blue Diamond, the Las Vegas Sun reported.
Bureau of Land Management spokeswoman Hillerie Patton said the wild burros were being adopted because people stop to feed them despite signs posted along State Route 159 that forbid it. The animals have now become conditioned to wander toward the highway or into people's yards thinking there will be food.
"It's really dangerous," Patton said of the burros' habits. "Because they're out causing damage and getting out (in the road) causing trouble, they're called 'nuisance burros.'"
Each burro was adopted for a fee of $125, or $200 for a baby and mother together. Patton said 11 burros were adopted within the first two hours of the event and that there was a steady stream of people since it began.
"They're so cute. Burros make really great pets," Patton said. "They're lovable, and on a ranch, they're very protective of sheep."
