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Donks Employed; Easily Bribed
No one messes with Bonnie. The newest employee at the University of Rhode Islandâs Peckham Farm is a four-foot-tall fuzzy brown donkey, and she appears to be taking her livestock-guarding responsibilities seriously. "Sheâs the boss," said URI senior Josean Velez, 22, a biology and animal science major. "Sheâs really protective. If youâre going after the sheep, sheâs going after you." Marshall said that although not every donkey can work as a guardian, Bonnie was compatible with the farm and has done a "great job" in providing a second line of defense for the 22 adult sheep and 27 lambs, along with the rest of the livestock. "We havenât had any problems since Bonnieâs been here," Marshall said. And if a dog or coyote did approach the flock, Marshall said the donkey would bray loudly, stomp her feet and ultimately "eliminate him" if need be. "She can kick with all four feet," he said. According to Marshall, Bonnie has adapted well to her new surroundings. "I think sheâs the coolest thing in the place," he said. The friendly donkey has a taste for treats. "If you have a carrot for her, sheâs your best buddy," the manager said. Posted by: Chuck Simmins 2004-04-21 |
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