The status of Donkeys (Equus asinus) in Greece


Published: Nov 17, 2017
Keywords:
Donkeys Greece status management
G. ARSENOS (Γ. ΑΡΣΕΝΟΣ)
A. I. GELASAKIS (Α. Ι. ΓΕΛΑΣΑΚΗΣ)
E. I. PAPADOPOULOS (ΕΛ. ΠΑΠΑΔΟΠΟΥΛΟΣ)
Abstract

The paper presents, for the first time, information about donkeys (Equus asinus) in Greece. Most of the information was obtained from interviews of donkey owners, using a purpose built questionnaire. The population of donkeys in Greece showeda remarkable decrease over the last decades. From 508,000 in 1955, there were only 14,570 in 2008, a decrease of 97%. The existing donkeys were characterised by a large diversity in phenotypes. The lack of any breeding programme for donkeys, the importation of jacks from foreign breeds, the loss of interest and under-appreciation, together with the ignorance of health and welfare needs of such animals were the main reasons that shaped the current status. The health and welfare status of donkeys differed enormously across different areas of Greece, reflecting differences in the cultural, economical and "emotional" importance of individual animals. It was revealed that many problems were associated with diseases originating in malnutrition, parasites and bad husbandry management. Moreover, current and future trends, resulting from social and economical developments in rural areas of Greece, are discussed. Given the trends currently affecting the status of donkeys in Greece we concluded that a conservation policy should be adopted, because the number of donkeys will continue to fall.

Article Details
  • Section
  • Research Articles
Downloads
Download data is not yet available.
References
Aranguren-Mendez J, Gordana J, Gomez M (2001) Genetic diversity in Spanish donkey breeds using microsatellite DNA markers. Genet. Selection Evol. 33:433-442.
Arsenos G and Papadopoulos E (2005) Donkeys in Greece: A review of current status and future trends. Proceedings of the International Conference "The Role of the Donkey (and Mule) in the Culture of the Mediterranean" Hydra, Greece, 7-10 October 2005.
Bliss DH, Svendsen ED, Georgoulakis IE, Grosomanidis S, Taylor F, Jordan WJ (1985) Strategic use of anthelminthics in working donkeys in Mediterranean climatic conditions. Vet. Ree. 117:613-614.
Cook SJ, Cook RF, Montelarob RC, Issel CJ (2001) Differential responses of Equus caballus and Equus Asinus to infection with to pathogenic strains of equine infectious anaemia virus. Vet. Microbiol. 79:93-109.
Eley JL and French JM (1993) Estimating the body weight of donkeys. Vet. Ree. 132:250.
FAO Statistical Databases (FAOSTAT) (2008) http://faostat.fao.org/.
Hellenic Ministry of Rural Development and Food (2008), statistical data of equines, http://www.minagric.gr
Jordana J, Folch P, Sanchez A (1999) Genetic variation (protein markers and microsatellites) in endangered Catalonian donkeys. Biochem. System. Ecol. 27:791-798.
Karantounias A.G. (1968) Specific Animal Husbandry: Horse donkey and mule husbandry. University notes, Athens, Greece.
Kaushik SJ (1999) Animals for work, recreation and sports. Livest. Prod. Sci. 59:145-154.
Kinis A, Svoronos S, Haralambidis S, Antoniadou-Sotiriadou K, Himonas C (1985) Parasitological survey on the ponies of Skyros island. Hellenic Vet. Med. 28:139-150.
Leeb C, Henstridge C, Dewhurst K, Bazeley Κ (2003) Welfare assessment of working donkeys: Assessment of the impact of an animal healthcare project in West Kenya. Anim. Welfare 12:689-694.
Matthee S, Krecek RC, Milne SA, Boshoff M, Guthrie AJ (2002) Impact of management interventions on helminth levels and body and blood measurements in working donkeys in South Africa. Vet. Parasitol. 107:103-113.
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) (1986) Manual of Veterinary Parasitological Laboratory Techniques. Reference book 418. London, UK.
Papadopoulos E, Hamhougias K, Himonas C, Dorchies Ph (2000) Strongyle anthelmintic resistance in horses and cattle in Greece. Revue Méd. Vét. 151:1139-1142.
Pearson RA and Quassat M (1996) Estimation of the live weight and body condition of working donkeys in Morocco. Vet. Ree. 138:229-233.
Pritchard JC, Lindberg AC, Main DCJ, Whay HR (2005) Assessment of the welfare of working horses, mules and donkeys, using health and behaviour parameters. Prev. Vet. Med. 69:265-283.
Ram JJ, Padalkar RD, Anuraja B, Hallikeri RC, Deshmanya JB, Neelkanthayya G, Sagar VV (2004) Nutritional requirement of adult donkeys (Equus asinus) during work and rest. Tropical Anim. Health and Prod. 36:407-412.
Rössel S, Marshall F, Peters J, Pilgram T, Adams MD, O'Connor D (2008) Domestication of the donkey: Timing, processes and indicators. Proc National Academy Sci. 105: 3715-3720.
Sotiraki ST, Badouvas AG, Himonas C (1997) A survey on the prevalence of internal parasites of equines in Macedonia and Thessaly - Greece. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 10:550-552.
Svendsen ED, Duncan J, Hadrill D (2008) The Professional Handbook of the Donkey (4th edition), Whittet Books Ltd, UK.
Zabek Τ (2008) Variation and conservation of microsatellite DNA sequences among equidae species. Annals of Anim. Sci. 8: 329-342.
Most read articles by the same author(s)