Spanish Donkeys Graze to Prevent Wildfires

In Doñana National Park, Spain, donkeys are actively preventing wildfires by grazing on vegetation that could serve as fuel. For nine years, the park has avoided wildfires thanks to these “happy little donkeys” who work from March to November, consuming up to eight gallons of water daily.

The donkey fire brigades are more effective than sheep or goats due to their greater weight and appetite, breaking up and consuming significantly more vegetation. This low-impact approach protects the Iberian lynx and migrating birds that rely on the park as a vital refuge.

Following the success in Doñana, other Spanish regions, including Galicia, Catalonia, and the Basque Country, are now implementing similar donkey brigades as the risk of wildfires increases in their dry forests. Researchers suggest the decline in donkey populations has contributed to the severity of recent burns, as these animals historically helped maintain landscapes less prone to explosive vegetation growth.