Donkey – The all-weather animal
The donkey or ass as it is known the world over is an internal member of the horse family. The African wild ass is the ancestor of the donkey that we see nowadays. They have been used for labor work for at least 5000 years. There are several million donkeys in the world, mostly in underdeveloped countries, where they are used primarily for carrying goods or used as pack animals. Working donkeys are preferred by those live in shanties or are below the poverty line. In developed countries, donkeys are kept for breeding or as pets to play and cuddle.
Donkeys are stubborn and touch animals, but this has been attributed to a much stronger sense of self-preservation than exhibited by horses. Based on the studies conducted on a donkey’s behavior, it is considerably more difficult to force or frighten a donkey into doing something it perceives to be dangerous for whatever reason. They can prove to be very good companions of humans and can be helpful in sharing the workload for a longer period.
There is a general perception that Donkeys aren’t the friendliest of animals and they tend to stay aloof from others. They are the laziest of the lot that is why they are forced to carry loads on their back. This fact might be true in some respect because People have been using the donkey for centuries and in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, donkeys were in great demand due to their hard-working attitude and ability to carry loads.
In India, donkeys are the most preferred animals for those living on the Rocky Mountains and sandy plains and are used by people living in villages and on the outskirts of the city. They are useful where the terrain is rocky and rough, in thick forests and in sandy surfaces. However, in recent years donkeys have disappeared from the scene due to various NGOs protesting and voicing against their use for labor and other hard manual work.
In countries like China, donkey meat is in great demand due to its tenderness and soft texture. Chinese do not use the donkeys for labor work and instead treat it as a delicacy. In North African countries donkeys are omnipresent and they are found everywhere from east to west and central Africa.
In the American continent and Europe donkeys are a different breed altogether. They are not treated the way they are in Africa, India, and other East Asian Countries. They are treated with respect and dignity. They are often involved in races and are part of important festivals.
After seeing the donkey in my childhood days I can opine that they are not at all unintelligent nor they are lazy but they appear to be lazy and slow in their action, which forces people to misuse them for labor work. However, to my knowledge, they are friendly and very quietest of animals. They have the mental ability to study their masters very well and act accordingly. If we can win their confidence, they would be the best of the lot as far as carrying load is concerned and for doing myriad jobs.
Finally, every animal has its own pros and cons and donkey is one of them. We should never underestimate an animal like donkey since it has its own attributes and skills, which can be put to use whenever and wherever it is required.
