Tourists to be discouraged from riding Santorini’s donkeys

Santorini is a steep-sided island in the Mediterranean where donkeys have for centuries been ferrying people and cargo up the 520 steps from the port to the town of Fira on the summit. This is all set to change as the outcry over the abuse of the donkeys gains more traction.

The increasing number of tourists has meant that the equines have been doing more trips a day with heavier loads, and are often now recorded suffering from spinal injuries, saddle sores, and exhaustion.

Now, in a joint effort, the local mayor, activists, and the cruise line industry have launched a campaign to alert tourists to the plight of these battling donkeys and try to cease the use of them altogether.

“The campaign is about to start,” said Nikos Zorzos, the island’s mayor, speaking from Fira, Santorini’s clifftop capital. “Representatives from the cruise liner association were here in my office this week promising to raise awareness [of the problem] and from our side, we’ll be distributing information leaflets. Our mules and donkeys are part of our tradition. Younger owners, especially, have understood that they need to be looked after.”

In October last year, the Greek government enacted legislation making it illegal to burden animals with “any load exceeding 100kg, or one-fifth of [their] body weight.” Although holidaymakers weren’t mentioned specifically, the regulation was interpreted as a ban on owners allowing overweight tourists to mount the creatures.

But animal welfare campaigners say the buck should not only stop with mule’s owners. Visitors, they argue, should also make informed decisions.

Catherine Rice, PR officer at The Donkey Sanctuary, which launched the initiative, said: “Our ‘In Their Hooves’ campaign aims to encourage tourists to stop and think before using donkey taxis to climb the steep steps at Fira port. It suggests holidaymakers consider whether donkeys and mules are being treated humanely, have enough shade and water, as well as whether loads they are being asked to carry are suitable. If not, other options, such as walking or taking a cable car, might be a more responsible mode of transport.”

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