feral donkey

Feral donkeys are descendants of domestic donkeys that have escaped or been abandoned. These animals, also known as burros, are found in various parts of the world. While often perceived as stubborn, studies indicate that donkeys are intelligent, possessing good memory, problem-solving skills, and the ability to learn from their environment and adapt to new challenges. They prioritize their well-being by assessing situations before acting, a trait that can be mistaken for obstinacy.12

In ecosystems where they are not native, feral donkeys can pose a threat by competing with native wildlife for limited resources, such as the desert bighorn sheep in the western United States. On tropical islands, they can endanger native plants. Efforts to manage feral donkey populations are controversial, with animal rights groups often opposing conservationists who view them as an invasive species threatening biodiversity.1