Improving feeder placement reduced conflict and competition. 

Research shows how the approach can improve welfare and wellbeing. 

The Donkey Sanctuary has completed a new evidence-led habitat enclosure for its herd of miniature donkeys, rescued during the charity’s largest-ever welfare intervention.

Findings published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science show that a One Welfare approach can improve animal welfare, enhance local biodiversity and improve the experience for visitors and caregivers. 

The herd arrived at the charity’s Devon headquarters, providing a valuable opportunity for researchers to observe them in their new home, and use those insights to inform the design of a purpose-built habitat tailored closely to their needs. 

Using a combination of behavioural observations, video analysis, ecological surveys and staff consultation, researchers identified key priorities for the habitat redesign. These included increasing opportunities for shelter and shade, creating more privacy from public viewing when desired, and improving feeder placement to reduce conflict and competition. 

The Donkey Sanctuary hopes these findings will reinforce growing evidence that donkeys benefit from more varied and naturalistic environments that provide choice, exploration and behavioural flexibility. 

Sarah Worth, lead author and research officer at The Donkey Sanctuary, said: “The most rewarding part of redesigning the mini’s paddock and housing was being able to let the donkeys guide us. We could see how they used the existing space and then bring those observations together with ideas from colleagues across the sanctuary.

“The ecology team led the thinking about the land itself, bringing vital expertise to designing the space from the ground up.  It’s been lovely to see all these perspectives come together with the shared passion for our donkeys’ welfare and wellbeing at the heart of it.” 


Image (C) The Donkey Sanctuary.