DONKEY FAMILIES

Why It’s Important To

Keep Wild Donkey Families Together

When wild burros are taken into captivity by “rescues”, the typical cycle is for baby boys to be separated from their moms at six months and castrated, then kept separated and eventually adopted out. Even girl babies eventually are taken away from their mamas to be adopted out. Babies born in captivity grow up around human caretakers, and therefore are trainable and adoptable -— not to mention very sweet and cuddly!

Although rescues save wild donkeys from adverse situations, they also unintentionally dismantle their herds. This loss of family structure is an unfortunate side effect of the adoption process.

For a wild female burro, motherhood is joy and purpose. In the wild, females typically birth several babies, and stay with their offspring and family herds for life. In captivity, female burros, who often are pregnant when captured, give birth for the last time. And the bond with their last baby is exceptionally strong. We have witnessed the depth of this connection in over 40 mother/baby pairs we have personally cared for.

Wild adult burros struggle to trust humans. Adult wild mamas separated from their offspring become chronically depressed. We’ve met dozens of wild burro and donkey mamas who’ve lost their babies. Even years later, they’re still chronically depressed. It’s really sad and inhumane.

Even when wild males become independent and start their own families, the lifelong bond with their mothers remains. Our sanctuary is proof: we have four-year-old males living independently with their offspring and mates, all while remaining close to their mamas.

Staying connected for life is simply in their nature. Offspring are raised within a nurturing network of friends, siblings, and cousins, where wild burro families eat, play, and live together always.

We strongly believe in preserving the natural lifestyle of wild donkeys and burros. This commitment to keeping families together is one of the fundamental reasons for our existence.