Anyone who has ever owned a horse or a donkey will know about the time and devotion required to look after even one animal. Multiply that by twenty-two and the task becomes a life-absorbing cause.

It is now six years since Marlene and Steven Byrd began their project of breeding giant Andalusian donkeys at Los Pajaritos, their finca just outside Estepona. As with most projects there have been many ups and downs, magical moments and sad ones. Their interest started years ago with Chocolate and Lola, kept as pets and used for peaceful rides along the river valleys and mountain paths near their home. But when they decided to dedicate their lives to ANCRAA (Asociación Nacional de Criadores de la Raza Asnal Andaluza) – the national association of breeders of Andalusian donkeys – their lives changed dramatically.

It is not easy for two people on their own, with very little help from outside, to look after an increasing herd of donkeys. Every day they have to make sure that they are all fed and watered, their stables and exercise areas kept clean and the animals brushed and groomed. The jacks, or male donkeys, must be kept separate, not only from the jennies, or females, but also from each other, so the rota for exercising and feeding is planned like a military strategy. And this is the basic routine seven days of the week, 365 days of the year, whatever the weather – no holidays, no weekends away, not even a whole day off. Then time has to be spent on regular visits by the veterinary surgeon, shopping for special donkey ‘nuts’, fodder and hay, arranging for the mares to be covered, or mated, when they come into season and, one year later, attending the births under the light of a full moon. Foals are normally born around that time as the mother takes advantage of the natural light in the wild to watch out for predators.

In the summer of 2003, eight Andalusian donkeys were brought to Los Pajaritos. Two four-year old half-sisters, Vulnerada and Vuela Pluma, came from the military who, up to then, had been the only organisation to hold the official stud book for the pure-bred asno andaluz. Another four, including eight-year old Relente, the second jack, arrived in 2004. Since then, five of the jennies have given birth there, with Rosario leading the female herd, having already produced three foals and with another on its way this year. Britty, who arrived with her mother as a three-month old foal, has now gone to live in Parauta, but her new owner is bringing her back soon to be mated with Relente.

Names are given to the donkeys in strict alphabetical order with all those born in the same year having the same initial letter. Aurora, Almendra and Amadeo, all fathered by Romero, were three of the first to see the light of day at the finca. Then in 2005 came Bella Belinda, fathered by Relente, and on 21 December 2007 Cereza (pictured with Marlene). This year two foals are expected in the summer and possibly another two towards the end of the year, so all their names will begin with the letter D. Anastasia, one of the expectant mothers, is the first of the jennies born on the finca to start producing. At five years old and now mentally and physically mature enough to foal, she represents the future for this charitable association.

ANCRAA is not a sanctuary where mistreated or abandoned animals are cared for. It is a working project for the conservation and breeding of Andalusian donkeys which, without the dedication of people like Marlene and Steven, would soon be in danger of becoming an extinct species. There are at present just over two hundred of these gentle giants in Andalucía, but if that figure should fall, they would then be on the critical list for endangered species.

How to help

In common with every charitable association, voluntary and financial assistance is always needed for work to continue. You could help by perhaps getting involved at ground level, so to speak, spending a few hours each week or each month grooming, feeding, mucking out and generally caring for the herd. Or you could let your child sponsor one of the new-born donkeys this year and become a ‘virtual’ part of its daily life by regularly logging on to the website to check its progress at www.ancraa.org. Local companies could also help out by sponsoring yearly supplies of materials such as fodder or straw for the stables, or by organising events. A volunteer handyman, or woman, would be welcomed with open arms, as would someone to take charge of fund raising, to liaise with schools, or to organise the placing and picking up of collecting tins.

Finca Los Pajaritos is open to the public every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. The donkeys are very friendly and love being with people. You can mingle with these gentle giants, ride them around the paddock and see them dressed in their embroidered headgear and ornamental saddles. A pleasant way to spend time on a Sunday morning for all the family and if you can make a donation before you leave, then you will be assured that you have done something to help this special race survive.