Donkeys in a valley near Rhyolite, Nevada

© Moelyn Photos/Getty Image

A day to bray about. World Donkey Day

On May 8 each year, donkeys get their moment in the sun—though they'd probably prefer the shade. World Donkey Day celebrates these hardworking animals that have a reputation for being stubborn. But that's just a misconception—they're actually cautious thinkers. Where a horse might bolt at danger, a donkey takes a moment to assess the situation before reacting. Donkeys have been essential to transportation and agriculture for centuries. In many parts of the world, they're still the backbone of rural economies, carrying supplies across difficult terrain where vehicles can't go.

World Donkey Day is a great excuse to visit Beatty, Nevada, an old mining town where feral donkeys like the ones pictured here roam freely and interact with tourists. While you're there, don't miss nearby Rhyolite, a ghost town of the gold rush era where the ancestors of these donkeys labored. Whether pulling carts, working in therapy programs, or just being adorable, these creatures deserve more appreciation. So, let's give them their due—and maybe even a bray of applause.