Bon Bini

FAQ

Did you ever wonder what a donkey eats? Or how long he lives?

Well, you're not alone. Below is a list of basic information about donkeys and some interesting facts about our Bonaire donkeys in particular. Enjoy learning more about these wonderful animals - the donkey.

General Information on the Equus Asinus, or the Donkey
Equus(Latin) a horse.
Asinus (Latin) an ass.

Common names for donkey on Bonaire
ezel (Dutch)
buriku (Papiamentu)

Size
Body Length: 200 cm / 6.6 ft.
Shoulder Height: 125-145 cm / 4.2-5.5 ft.
Tail Length: 42 cm / 17 in.
Weight: 275 kg / 605 lb.

Description
The short, smooth coat is a light grey to fawn colour, fading quickly to white on the undersides and legs. There is a slender, dark dorsal stripe in all subspecies, while in the Nubian wild ass (E. a. africanus), as well as the domestic donkey, there is a stripe across the shoulder. On the nape of the neck there is a stiff, upright mane, the hairs of which are tipped with black. The ears are large with black margins. The tail terminates with a black brush. The hooves are slender, approximately the diameter of the legs.

Reproduction
Gestation Period: 11-12 months.
Young per Birth: 1
Life Cycle Weaning: At 6-8 months.
Sexual Maturity: 2 years.

Life span
Up to 40 years.

Habits
They are primarily active in the cooler hours between late afternoon and early morning, seeking shade and shelter amongst the scrub during the day. Swift and sure-footed in their rough, rocky habitat, the donkey can travel as fast as 50 kmph / 30 mph. Mature males defend large territories around 23 square kilometers in size, marking them with dung heaps - an essential marker in the flat, monotonous terrain. Due to the size of these ranges, the dominant male cannot exclude other males. Rather, intruders are tolerated - recognized and treated as subordinates, and kept as far away as possible from any of the resident females. In the presence of estrous females the males bray loudly. Despite being primarily adapted for living in an arid climate, African wild asses are dependent on water, and when not receiving the needed moisture from vegetation they must drink at least once every three days. However, they can survive on a surprisingly small amount of liquid, and have been known to drink salty or brackish water.

One interesting behavior we have noted on Bonaire, is that dogs correctly fear donkeys. One way locals protect their ranch animals is to also have several donkeys to keep any stray dogs away.

Donkeys can also be a hazard to humans. Several times a year donkeys are hit by cars while crossing roads. Donkeys like many tall but heavy animals can cause quite a lot of damage to a car and the humans in it. Watch for donkeys near the side of the road, particularly in the southern part of the island and during dry season.

Lifestyle Family group
Small, unstable, mixed herds, with a top number of 49 animals.

Diet
Grasses, bark, and leaves

Donkeys at the Sanctuary
We currently have over 300 donkeys residing at the sanctuary (last updated January 2006). Our oldest resident is 31 years old.

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Donkey FAQ

Donkey Sanctuary Bonaire
P.O. Box #331, Lima z/n
Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles
Our telephone number - Cell. (599)9 5607607
E-Mail: info@donkeysanctuary.org
The Donkey Sanctuary is open 7 days a week from 10:00am until 5:00pm.
After 4:00pm it is not possible to drive through the Safari Park.