Asinara donkey for Sale

Asinara Donkeys are from the isle of Asinara, Italy, where a colony of around a hundred still live in the wild. They are small donkeys with a white coat, probably because of an incomplete albinism.

The Asinara donkey’s  ancestors may have been imported originally from Egypt by the Duke of Asinara in 1800. Evedently by the end of the 19th century some white-coated donkeys lived on the island, probably they were abandoned by the inhabitants that had moved to Stintino in 1885 when the island had become State Property.

Some other evidences refer that in more recent times there have appeared a few white coated examples. The breed is rustic and frugal.

The island of Asinara in Sardinia is a great destination for a walking holiday. It is high up in my Italia bucket list not only because of the beautiful scenery. The island is home to beautiful Asinara white donkeys who I am dreaming of meeting one day.

According to some historians, the four-legged “blondes” were brought on the island from Egypt in the 17th century. The donkeys liked Asinara and made it their home. Today there are less than 100 of them on the island and they are classified as a “breed of limited distribution”. A few of them can also be found near Alghero and in Burgos.

In old days, the Asinara white donkeys were used for at mills for flour and at oil presses. Today they roam the island free, most of them are shy but some are brave enough to approach humans. One of the seven walking and cycling routes on the island is called “The path of The White Donkey” and goes through the area where the animals are less timid and watch the visitors with curiosity.

Asinara had an eventful past: Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Saracens have used it for different purposes. Prehistoric dwellings, medieval ruins as well as ruins of a World War I prison camp can still be seen here. In the 70s the island accommodated a detention facility for terrorists and mafia members.

In 1997 Asinara became a national park and tourists are brought to the island by authorised boats and tour companies. Swimming is permitted only in the designated areas and no private boats are allowed to dock there.