Amy’s Journal

The 4th Annual Mule and Donkey Conference was recently held in Hydra, Greece. The conference included many interesting speakers from 12 countries. Topics focused on the donkey through out history in places such as Ireland, Australia and northern Arabia. Other talks focused on mules being used in Nepal, Morrocco, and Turkey. Then talks from the Greek Animal Foundation were given focused on the basic care and treatment of mules and donkeys on the island. There are currently no cars on Hydra but there's pressure from tourists and some groups to replace the mules and muleteers with motorized vechiles.

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The photos are from various dairies I visited with colleagues and students from the vet school at the University of Torino. We were collecting data associated with the overall welfare of donkeys used for milk purposes in order to help develop guidelines for producers. The data gathered can also be used for donkey owners around the world in terms donkey nutrition, body condition scoring and neck crest scores, blood chemistry profiles, external and internal parasite control in relationship to the over all well being of the donkey. In addition, many breeds of donkeys are being preserved now that they have a purpose. 

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The island of Hydra is home to approximately 1,5000 people. There are no cars or trucks only donkeys, mules, hinnies and bicycles. The conference "Hydra Mule and Donkey Conference" is held every two years and will include speakers from all over world from Moroco, Australia, Saudi Arabia, England, Turkey and the U.S. Talks will focus on a variety of subjects from "caravans of donkeys in the Himalayas to the use of donkeys and mules among the ancient North Arabian nomads in the light of epigraphic evidence."

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Since June I've had the opportunity to see donkeys, mules, hinnies and horses in  many capacities from dairy donkeys in Italy to carrying sugar cane in Colombia. It still amazes me that there's still so much to learn about these beast of burdens that have been serving mankind for thousands of years! 

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