Wildlife within the aviary: intimate association between donkeys and Shetland ponies
The Solingen Bird and Animal Park is a haven for rare and special creatures, with its resident donkeys and ponies being no exception. These animals, belonging to the Poitou donkey and Camargue pony breeds, are a significant conservation priority due to their rarity.
The park's donkeys, part of the Baroque donkey breed, are easily recognisable by their striking spotted fur. One of the park's oldest donkeys, Simone, has given birth to nine foals over the years and is now enjoying her well-deserved retirement. Her son, Linus, a 12-year-old donkey, often stays close to her.
Another interesting resident is Filou, who recently visited the dentist for a routine check-up. Donkey teeth resemble tree rings, with older animals having darker rings, making age determination possible through this unique characteristic.
Tammy, one of the Shetland ponies, is the boss of the group despite her advanced age and arthritis. Her smaller counterpart, Paula, the only white Shetland pony, prefers to blend in with the rest of the herd by instinctively rolling in the dirt.
Donkeys are intelligent creatures, contrary to the cliché, and are known for their close bonds with family members. This is evident in Linus's attachment to Simone. The donkeys and ponies at the park also exhibit other interesting behaviours, such as folding their ears as a protective mechanism when confronted with loud noises.
The park's donkeys and ponies are not just unique in their behaviour but also in their physical characteristics. For instance, donkeys have large ears that can turn almost 180 degrees, and Shetland ponies have a small yet proportional head and a strong neck covered with a dense, long mane.
Good dental health is crucial for donkeys, as improper care can cause hay to form a knot in their mouths. To maintain this, the park provides three hay racks to keep the hay dry and sand-free. The donkeys also enjoy the use of suspended brushes for scratching their fur between regular brushings.
Visitors to the Solingen Bird and Animal Park can expect an exciting experience, not just to see these "stubborn" gray animals, but also to learn about their unique characteristics and behaviours. The park is a testament to the conservation efforts being made to preserve these rare breeds, making their animals unique attractions compared to typical farm animals found at other parks.
The Solingen Bird and Animal Park's oldest donkey, Simone, enjoys her retirement in her home-and-garden setting, surrounded by the lifestyle of her fellow animals and the garden's greenery. During visits to the park, pet-loving visitors can learn about the unique characteristics and interesting behaviors of these rare donkeys, including Linus's close bond with Simone and the donkeys' protective ear-folding mechanism.
