More Than an Easter Symbol: The Ecological Contributions of the Donkey
- Bethany Akhtar
- 15 minutes ago
- 4 min read
As we leave the Easter celebrations, Bethany Akhtar looks beyond the Easter bunny and chocolate eggs to acknowledge the humble donkey - one of the season’s original icons which has been an overlooked ecological hero for thousands of years.
A close-up image of a donkey peering at the camera. Image Credit: Daniel Roth on Unsplash
In today’s modern, commercialised world, Easter has become synonymous with the Easter bunny and the bounty of chocolate eggs he brings. However, the donkey is a deeply embedded symbol in the theological story of Easter, associated with the Nativity, Jesus’ ride into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, and a plethora of stories throughout the Bible.
In various Biblical narratives, donkeys are shown to be central to the arid landscapes and agricultural systems of ancient Israel, subtly demonstrating their important roles in maintaining the land. In the modern world, however, these environmental contributions often go unheard of or undervalued, where donkeys are often only recognised as working animals.
Nonetheless, donkeys remain remarkable ecosystem engineers - animals that shape biodiversity by modifying the resources available within an ecosystem. So perhaps, in light of this Easter just passed, it is time to acknowledge the contributions of the donkey; a hard-working, vital steward of our land.
Conservation grazing
The use of livestock for managing land to support wildlife is known as conservation grazing. Donkeys are considered excellent conservation grazers since they plough through coarse grasses, woody and spiky vegetation. This is ideal in comparison to other livestock, like sheep who graze less diverse vegetation to a uniform height.
This grazing behaviour by donkeys increases biodiversity by creating “vegetation mosaics” - areas of vegetation with varied heights and types. In turn, they produce a variety of habitats and microclimates, which allow a range of biodiversity to thrive, including butterflies, bees and spiders and their predatory counterparts like birds, bats and rodents. It seems paradoxical, but this simple act of grazing is surprisingly valuable!
A donkey grazing in an area of coarse vegetation. Image Credit: Snap Wander on Unsplash
Seed dispersal
As well as increasing faunal diversity, donkeys can promote floral diversity by spreading wildflower seed. As donkeys roam terrain like meadows, grasslands and deserts, they help to disturb the soil, which ultimately spreads and embeds seeds. The spread of such a variety of seeds can then produce biodiverse wildflower meadows, which provide the food and/or habitats necessary for pollinators, invertebrates, birds and mammals and a diverse range of flowers.
Within the last century, 97% of wildflower meadows have been lost from the UK, despite their ability to protect against flooding and sequester as much (or more, in some cases) soil carbon as woodlands. With these meadows in such significant decline, this equine contribution could be a particularly important one for government bodies, NGOs and the public to acknowledge.
A diverse wildflower meadow. Image Credit: Jake Anthony on Unsplash
Water-bringers
In desert environments, donkeys also play a key role in creating wells, where they can dig 2 meters deep or more to reach groundwater for themselves and, inadvertently, for other wildlife. In a 2021 study, wild horses and donkeys were found to be increasing the number of water holes in the North American southwest, which are used by a myriad of vertebrate species and even helping trees to germinate. Overall, the study suggests that this process could enhance the planet’s resilience to aridification - another incredible, unexpected feat from the donkey!
Threats to donkeys and how you can help
Due to their use in transportation in arid and often poor regions, many donkeys are forced to carry heavy loads over long distances without sufficient food, water, rest or veterinary care. Whilst this is not the case in every donkey-reliant region, many still suffer from this mistreatment, even despite evidence of severe exploitation.
Currently, the most pressing threat to donkeys is the donkey skin trade. This involves the slaughtering of donkeys for their collagen (within their skin) to produce the traditional Chinese medicine ejiao for nutritional and cosmetic products. As a result, around 5.9 million donkeys fall victim to the trade each year.
Sadly, the cruelty does not stop there. Donkeys within this trade often find themselves stolen from their owners, and many die before they even reach the slaughterhouse due to squalid and inhumane conditions. Ultimately, the improper treatment of donkey skins and carcasses poses a serious risk of infection and disease spread in surrounding areas.
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