May 08, 2026

Sardinian donkey mare and foal, France

Few animals have matched humanity's quiet resilience quite like the donkey. Donkeys have worked alongside people for thousands of years, prized for their endurance, sharp memory and sure-footed confidence on rugged ground.

In the image, a Sardinian donkey mare stands close to her foal, a reminder that these animals are not only hardworking but deeply social. Native to the Italian island of Sardinia, this small, hardy breed is well adapted to dry, rocky terrain. It feeds mainly on grasses, herbs and scrub, thriving on sparse vegetation where other livestock might struggle. Donkeys form strong bonds, recognise familiar faces long after separation and communicate with brays that can travel kilometres across open land.

First domesticated from African wild asses, donkeys helped move goods, shape trade routes and support daily life long before engines existed. The Sardinian donkey, once widely used in farming and transport, is now considered a rare breed, valued for its resilience, gentle temperament and remarkable ability to make the most of even the toughest landscapes.