Andalusian donkey

The Andalusian, Spanish: Asno Andaluz, is a Spanish breed of domestic donkey. It is native to the province of Córdoba in Andalusia, and may also be known as the Asno Cordobés ("Cordovan donkey") after the city of Córdoba or the Asno de Lucena ("Lucena donkey") because of its alleged origin in the town of Lucena, Córdoba.[3] It is an endangered breed, and is classified by the Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación, the Spanish agriculture ministry, as an "autochthonous breed in danger of extinction".[3]

Andalusian
Conservation statusFAO (2007): critical-maintained[1]:108
Other names
  • Asno Andaluz
  • Asno Cordobés
  • Asno de Lucena
Country of originSpain
DistributionAndalucia
StandardMinisterio de Agricultura, Alimentación y Medio Ambiente (in Spanish)
Use
  • transport
  • siring mules
Traits
Height
  • Male:
    160 cm[2]:418
  • Female:
    150 cm[2]:418

History

The breed was considered the most prized in the eighteenth century, and the Spanish crown would not permit them to leave the country; however, King Charles III sent two males (jacks) to U.S. President George Washington in 1785. Only one jack survived the sea journey to Mount Vernon, and was named "Royal Gift".[4]

Characteristics

The Andalusian is a large donkey, averaging 150–160 centimetres (59–63 in) at the withers, and of medium length. The head is of medium size, with a convex profile; the neck is muscular. The coat is short and fine, and soft to the touch; it is pale grey, sometimes almost white. The Andalusian is strong and sturdy, yet docile and calm. It is well adapted to the hot and arid conditions of its native environment.[2]:418

Status

The current state of the Andalusian breed is critical. At the end of 2013 the total population was reported at 749, of which almost all were in Andalucia.[5] Conservation plans include sparing use as work animal in the field and the forest (work which can also be done by horses), and use in rural tourism initiatives that have been followed in some places like Mijas (Málaga).

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References
  1. Barbara Rischkowsky, D. Pilling (eds.) (2007). List of breeds documented in the Global Databank for Animal Genetic Resources, annex to The State of the World's Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. ISBN 9789251057629. Accessed January 2017.
  2. Miguel Fernández Rodríguez, Mariano Gómez Fernández, Juan Vicente Delgado Bermejo, Silvia Adán Belmonte, Miguel Jiménez Cabras (eds.) (2009). Guía de campo de las razas autóctonas españolas (in Spanish). Madrid: Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Medio Rural y Marino. ISBN 9788449109461.
  3. Raza equino asnal Andaluza (in Spanish). Ministerio de Agricultura, Alimentación y Medio Ambiente. Accessed May 2014.
  4. Thompson, Mary V. "Donkeys". George Washington's Mount Vernon. Mount Vernon Ladies' Association. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
  5. Raza equino asnal Andaluza: Datos censales (in Spanish). Ministerio de Agricultura, Alimentación y Medio Ambiente. Accessed May 2014.
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