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Donkey Day
"This kindly, gentle eyed, velvety nosed, radar eared, non-aggressive creature has been man's uncomplaining companion and burden bearer throughout all history."
~ Donkeys of the West, William G. Long, 1974
Hee Haw! Hee Haw! Often misunderstood, frequently underappreciated, and yet among the hardest-working animals in the world, the donkey has served humanity faithfully for over 5,000 years. Today, over 40 million donkeys live worldwide—about 96% of them in developing countries, where they play a crucial role as pack animals and in agricultural and transport work.
While donkeys have long been saddled with a reputation for stubbornness, this trait is more accurately a sign of their strong sense of self-preservation. Unlike horses, they won’t be easily forced into situations they perceive as unsafe. And although formal research into their behavior is still growing, donkeys are known to be intelligent, cautious, curious, friendly, and even playful—quick to learn and loyal to those who treat them kindly.
Thankfully, growing awareness of their value and welfare has led to the rise of dedicated donkey rescue and sanctuary organizations around the world. These groups work to provide abandoned, mistreated, or overworked donkeys with medical care, safe shelter, and a chance to live out their days in peace. Through education and outreach, they also help communities learn how to care for donkeys properly—ensuring that these gentle, braying beasts of burden get the respect they deserve.
Requested by Australian donkey breeders to recognise all breeds of donkeys and to commemorate their assistance with man throughout history, this tartaned was originally released on the Feast of St Francis, patron Saint of animals, and also adopted as patron Saint of donkeys. 🧡 🤎 🤍 🖤 ❤️ 💗 🐴 🐴 🐴
World Donkey Day and Week was created to pay homage to a creature who has played and still plays a pivotal role in the rural economy and urban goods transport in many parts of the world.
While donkeys (Equus asinus) display many horse-like characteristics, they are more closely related to wild asses which originated in Africa and parts of Asia. Donkeys were brought to Australia from 1866 for use as pack and haulage animals. Until that point, Australians had been using the horse as their main mode of transportation. However, problems arose when the horses used in transportation began to become sickened by some of the native poisonous plants. When hardy donkeys proved invulnerable to the native plants, more were brought in. Escape was common because of the lack of fences, and there were reported herds of feral donkeys by the 1920s.
For more about Australia's wild donkeys, click the picture above.
Or visit the wonderful UK site The Donkey Sanctuary.