Donkeys
SOPHIA and VINNY, our beloved standard donkeys, joined Animal Tracks in April 2023 from Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue in Acton, California. At just two years old, Sophie was full of mischief, while six-year-old Vinny was the quiet, intelligent, and somewhat shy older brother. Though their personalities couldn’t be more different, they are inseparable—where Sophie goes, Vinny follows, always within six feet of each other, even during their favorite activity: dust baths!
True to their nature as highly social animals, Sophie and Vinny rely on each other for companionship and support. They share their large pasture with Spirit, a quarter horse, and while their initial introductions weren’t exactly smooth sailing, they have since become the Three Amigos, always seen grazing and exploring together.
As domesticated animals, Sophie and Vinny are the perfect ambassadors to start our educational tours. Guests are welcome to step into their corral, where they can meet, pet, and even feed these friendly donkeys—an ideal way to introduce people to animal care and respect before encountering our wild residents.
ORDER: Perissodactyla
FAMILY: Equidae
GENUS: Equus
SPECIES: Equus africanus asinus
Donkeys were domesticated in Africa, probably about 5,000 or 6,000 years ago, and has been used mainly as a working animal since that time. There are more than 40 million donkeys in the world, mostly in underdeveloped countries, where they are used principally as draught or pack animals. Domesticated individuals of this species occur around the globe. However, true wild donkeys can be found only in northern Africa and the Arabian peninsula. These animals are known to favor warm and dry climatic conditions, in which feral donkeys typically live. Donkeys are highly social creatures, eagerly associating with both conspecifics and other livestock animals, including horses, cows, goats, sheep, and llamas. Periods of increased activity occur in the morning and evening, while the midday hours are typically spent resting. Donkeys are extremely cautious by nature, due to which they will avoid doing anything that seems to be dangerous.
Threats
Exploitation by humans for work and entertainment.
Conservation Status
NE - Not Evaluated