Donkeys are globally used for
pastoral movement, carting, and transportation. Since they were primarily
domesticated in an extremely arid region (Eastern Africa), they are highly adapted
to extreme weather conditions and ecosystems. Furthermore, these animals have
their digestive tract prepared to digest pasture in poor conditions, such as dry
plants with low protein or fiber content. This is
one more reason for the popularity of donkeys - convenient and tough creatures
to transport and bear different kinds of loads.
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| Donkeys carrying water |
Humans
realized, in the course of time, that donkeys were the most ideal creatures to
protect sheep and goats flocks. Donkeys graze with these other species, bed
down with them and protect them against canine predators. Their brave and loud reaction
towards threats - predators, canines, strange caregivers, etc - made them the most adequate protection animal.
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| Donkey in zootherapy |
Over
time, new perspectives towards donkeys were raised and they began to be
treated as pets. Their confidence in human, patient behavior and kindness were
the main features for this new “status”.
Currently,
novel roles are being assigned to donkeys such as companions for post-weaning foals,
easing the trauma of separation from their mothers; riding animals in
handicapped programs, for people with mental and physical disabilities; and as a babysitter, since they are very patient and affectionate
creatures, with which kids can build a strong bond (especially with jennets and
geldings).
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