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Donkey welfare assessment in north-east Portugal

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2023

Z Cruz ,
M Nóvoa ,
B Leiva ,
D Andrade  and
M Quaresma
Z Cruz
Affiliation:
Association for the Study and Protection of Donkeys (AEPGA), Largo da Igreja, 5225-011 Atenor, Portugal
M Nóvoa
Affiliation:
Association for the Study and Protection of Donkeys (AEPGA), Largo da Igreja, 5225-011 Atenor, Portugal
B Leiva
Affiliation:
Association for the Study and Protection of Donkeys (AEPGA), Largo da Igreja, 5225-011 Atenor, Portugal
D Andrade
Affiliation:
Association for the Study and Protection of Donkeys (AEPGA), Largo da Igreja, 5225-011 Atenor, Portugal
M Quaresma*
Affiliation:
Association for the Study and Protection of Donkeys (AEPGA), Largo da Igreja, 5225-011 Atenor, Portugal Center of Animal and Veterinary Science (CECAV), University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), Quinta de Prados, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal Veterinary Teaching Hospital of UTAD, Quinta de Prados, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
*
* Contact for correspondence: miguelq@utad.pt
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Abstract

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The well-documented versatility of donkeys (Equus africanus asinus) means that issues concerning their welfare can vary depending on how they are mainly used and their geographic location. The present study is the first assessment of donkey welfare to be systematically conducted in the Iberian Peninsula. This area is characterised by the coexistence of high levels of mechanisation and industrialisation, and human populations with low levels of formal education, still making use of donkeys in their daily work. This study aims to evaluate the main welfare problems affecting donkeys within this context. The welfare assessment was carried out in accordance with the first level of the AWIN protocol for donkeys. Only 37.6% of the animals evaluated showed all positive indicators, with no physical problem detected while the remaining 62.4% revealed at least one negative health indicator. Body Condition Score (BCS) was one of the main concerns, with around half of the donkeys exhibiting an inadequate body condition. Dental evaluation revealed similarly concerning results, with 62.8% of the animals assessed requiring treatment. Indications of hoof neglect were noted in 39.5% of the animals evaluated with a 9.84% incidence of lameness. Skin problems affected 26.7% of individuals. Only 41% of the animals displayed positive results for all behavioural indicators. Aside from BCS, the most prevalent problems were sub-optimal behaviour, pain reaction to cheek palpation, hoof disease and integument alterations. These issues should be prioritised, both as regards this specific donkey population and the education of their caretakers.

Keywords

animal welfareAWINbehaviourdonkeyhealthIberian Peninsula
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Welfare , Volume 30 , Issue 1 , February 2021 , pp. 61 - 70
Copyright
© 2021 Universities Federation for Animal Welfare

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