Donkeys are now worth big money in Australia

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I’ve been going through my mother’s old diaries. After they sold the farm, my parents lived on a few acres on the outskirts of a country town. They kept a few sheep there but time and time again there are diary entries saying that town dogs had been mauling the sheep with the result that often a sheep would have to be put down due to its injuries. There was less control over dogs at that time and many were allowed to roam relatively freely. Feral dogs and dingoes also cause havoc on stations. Big dogs working in packs can easily bring down a young calf. It is very hard to control the dogs as they become very cunning and are difficult to trap or bait. Now, pastoralists are turning to donkeys as a guard animal for both sheep and cattle. There are a great number of feral donkeys in the outback and they were once considered only suitable for pet meat. However, they are now bringing good money; at least $600 to $700 an animal and even several thousand dollars for a good young jenny (female). The Chinese market is also crying out for donkeys as they believe the donkey skins have medicinal powers. So it looks like the humble donkey might have a secure future in Australia rather than being regarded as a feral pest. Photo is mine of Irish donkeys.