Perched on top of a dormant volcano rising up 400 metres above sea-level, the town of Fira isn’t exactly within easy reach.
Nevertheless, the capital of the Greek island Santorini still draws tourists to it.
Upon arriving in the town’s port, Scala, visitors have three options for getting to the top: They can walk, take a cable car or be carried up narrow stepped paths on the back of a donkey. The third is especially popular with many tourists, who prefer the idea of enjoying the outside air from atop a donkey than packing into a crowded cable car.
Unfortunately, the gentle beasts of burden who carry the tourists and all their paraphernalia to the top have not been treated humanely according to U.K. charity the Donkey Sanctuary, which said the welfare conditions for the donkeys and mules in Santorini was ‘inadequate,’ when it visited the islands in June 2018.
According to CNN, travel guidelines were circulated to island regions after the department received “multiple complaints and publications on the living conditions and well being of domestic animals” over the busy summer”‘.
After these numerous complaints, the Greek government responded and on Saturday the municipality of Santorini announced that it the weight of the load each donkey (and mule) can carry would be limited to about 100kg (or one-fifth of the animal’s weight). The number of hours that the animals can work has been limited too and owners need to ensure that they provide a more frequent supply of water in the stables and shade for them to rest in between loads, as temperatures can hover abover 30 degrees Celcius in summer.
Donkeys in South Africa
EARS Donkey Sanctuary, McGregor
The EARS Donkey Sanctuary, just a few kilometres out of the town at the Greyton Riding Club, is a haven for ex-working donkeys and any donkey that needs a loving home or healing hands. The sanctuary welcomes visitors, but do give them a call first as it is a working farm. Penny will be only too happy to put a few carrots in her pockets and take you to meet Pedro, Lena, Boesman and Dobbin, along with the 10 or more other donkeys in their care. If you’d like to support the donkeys at EARS, you can either adopt a donkey (monthly contribution), make a donation, or visit the EARS charity shop in the Greyton Oak Centre.
Contact: Penny 0826606714 / Shanna 0746646110
Karoo Donkey Sanctuary
Visit the Karoo Donkey Sanctuary, a haven for abandoned, neglected and abused donkeys and horses. Visits are carefully controlled – Friday, Saturday, Monday and Wednesday at 11:00 or 15:00. From R100 per person. Call 0829006103 to book. Two kilometres out of town on Christinade Witt Street.
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