CHINCOTEAGUE ISLAND, Va. — Wild ponies living on Virginia's Eastern Shore have been corralled because visitors ignored warnings against approaching the animals.
The Daily Times of Salisbury, Maryland, reported last week that the warnings were ignored at the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. The ponies were moved to the south corral of Assateague Island.
The Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company owns and cares for the Virginia pony herds on Assateague Island. Spokeswoman Denise Bowden said they've tried numerous times to educate the public. She warned that one kick or bite from one of the animals could badly injure someone.
The ponies will be corralled until mid-April. That's when the ponies will be rounded up for health check and to see if any new foals have been born.