Burro Obesity Big Problem In Arizona

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) - There is an epidemic in an old gold mining town in western Arizona: The wild burros that roam the town's single street are overweight, with rolls of fat on their necks and big, full bellies.

But don't blame them. They'll eat anything.

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management says it's the half million tourists who visit tiny Oatman each year and feed the critters carrots, hay or anything else. The agency manages the burros and has launched a campaign it hopes will eventually steer the burros back into the desert to forage for grass and shrubs - and get them back into shape.

The BLM says the dozen or so burros that hang around the tiny town are 100-to-150 pounds overweight.

Shopkeepers say doubt all tourists will heed the agency's message.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)