A herd of donkeys have sparked quite the conversation in Colpitts Settlement, N.B., and, although cute, they were actually brought to the Maritimes to fill a very important job.

Right off Route 112 in Colpitts Settlement, N.B., a herd of 20 donkeys, that seemingly appeared overnight, have caused quite the buzz throughout the community.

“They’ve definitely been the talk of the town and everybody is quite interested in them. Every time I drive by there’s somebody pulled over looking at them, taking pictures,” said Raine Beckwith, a local farmer who is the current owner of the entire herd.

“I have my own herd of cows … and I have a coyote problem at my house and when I tried to find some donkeys to take care of the coyotes I couldn’t find any available in all of the Maritimes, so I said, ‘I’m not the only one with that issue and I went and found a load,’” she said.

Adding, “a donkey’s job is to guard the cows. I have donkeys who, as soon as I have a new calf, they will not leave the pasture because they know it’s their job to protect them, so I’ve had coyotes dead in the field, killed by a donkey, so that’s their main job.”