Saving the Catalan donkey, an ace up the sleeve to weaken the fires

RupitA dozen of Catalan donkeys resting in the shade on a farm in Rupit. "They're very sociable animals; you should have at least two for them to interact with each other," explains Xavier Barceló. He and Teresa Fainé own a 300-hectare plot of land in the Osona region and raise this endangered animal. In total, they have about twenty specimens that are responsible for keeping the undergrowth clean on part of the plot.

The rains of recent months have turned the Catalan forests into a ticking time bomb: the undergrowth has grown a lot and is now drying out due to the high summer temperatures. This increases the risk of a fire spreading more quickly because it has a lot of biomass to burnAccording to Xavier, the option of using animals to eat the bushes and weeds is more viable than hiring a cleanup crew—which costs around €6,000 per hectare—and explains that they opted for donkeys because they're easy to manage. "Unlike sheep or goats, which require you to be a professional livestock farmer," he points out.

"If you hire a cleaning service and then don't provide animals to take care of it, you're wasting money, because in a few years it will be the same or worse," explains Xavier. The need to clear the undergrowth arises due to the threat of high fire risk, Since, in recent years, forest cover has multiplied due to poor management and depopulation of rural areas. preserve this native species, whose population is experiencing a decline.

Furthermore, Teresa, a biologist, comments that reducing forest density with donkeys has other effects. "Donkeys also create clearings that increase biodiversity with the introduction of new insects and reptiles. Also, since there is less undergrowth absorbing rainwater, it ends up in the river, in what is called blue water", he details.

A species at risk

Beyond the animal's practical value, there is also a heritage interest: the Catalan donkey population has been steadily declining for years, and the species' survival in Catalonia is not guaranteed. Public data from the Ministry of Agriculture count almost 900 specimens in Catalonia. These are indicators for the year 2023, the most up-to-date.

Now, the president of the Association for the Promotion of the Catalan Donkey Breed (Afrac), Joan Gassó, assures that the current figures are lower, adding that they have registered around 350. "This does not mean that there cannot be others, that they are not part of the breed, that some specimen has died and has not been reported," he explains.

In any case, numbers below a thousand individuals place this native and emblematic species in danger of extinction in Catalonia. Afrac is currently calling for all members and people who may have donkeys to conduct a count. Gassó, who has around fifty donkeys, laments the lack of young people to care for them, as the breeding of the species is primarily in the hands of older people. Generational renewal is not guaranteed.

The Catalan donkey is a very hardy animal and can go for days without drinking water. "These characteristics led to this animal being used in the conquest of the American West," says Xavier, who is convinced that it has not been properly valued in Catalonia as a Yes, it has been done in other areas of the world. "If it becomes extinct, it will be because of our lack of interest," he asserts, and claims that, now that its practical utility in clearing the undergrowth can be seen, a political debate should be put on the table to save it.

In this sense, the Afrac recently met with the Barcelona Provincial Council to try to agree on an agreement to clear forests with donkeys. "It's a larger animal that has teeth on the top and bottom and clears paths. It's like a mower, unlike ruminant animals like cows," emphasizes Gassó, who is a strong supporter of moving the agreement forward.

More support from the administrations

Jordi Bartolomé, PhD in Biological Sciences and professor at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), also argues that donkeys can play a very important role in fire prevention. He argues that donkeys can be used to prevent fires caused by livestock, which is impossible and requires a phased approach: "There are areas where this type of strategy is feasible, but it must be encouraged and managed by the authorities."

For this reason, Bartolomé points out that a national policy that considers donkeys' role in this task is necessary, as well as clear guidelines and assistance. He also emphasizes the importance of compensating farmers, since raising this animal is not intended to generate profit from milk and meat production, but rather responds to the goodwill of some owners who want to save the species.

Along these lines, Gassó calls for incentives for owners. Currently, the Generalitat (Catalan government) provides an annual grant of 400 euros per donkey, but with certain conditions: the owner must have at least five donkeys for more than three years. This excludes those who, for economic reasons or lack of space, only have two or three.

Furthermore, the fact that it is only granted when the animal is three years old discourages many people, since raising a donkey involves a lot of work and there is a risk that the animal will not develop properly. "The 400 euros they give is not enough to cover the annual expenses. We are a group of romantics who want to keep the breed going despite everything," he concludes.