Ponui donkey
| Conservation status | rare[1] |
|---|---|
| Other names | Ponui Island donkey |
| Country of origin | New Zealand |
| Distribution | New Zealand |
| Traits | |
| Height | Male: 90–110 cm (36–42 in)[2] |
| Female: 90–110 cm (36–42 in)[2] | |
| Coat | light dun or chocolate, with darker dorsal stripe |
| Classification | |
| Donkey & Mule Society of New Zealand | Breed description |
|
Donkey Equus asinus | |
The Ponui donkey or Ponui Island Donkey is a breed and feral population of domestic donkey from Ponui Island, in the Hauraki Gulf off New Zealand. It is the only feral donkey in New Zealand.
History
Frederick Chamberlin bought Ponui Island from the New Zealand government in 1854.[3] Donkeys were brought to the island together with other livestock from New South Wales, and a feral population established itself. The Ponui Island Donkey now has formal breed status,[4] and some are distributed in mainland New Zealand.[1] It is registered by the Donkey & Mule Society of New Zealand. The Ponui donkey is listed as "rare" by the Rare Breeds Conservation Society of New Zealand.[1]
Characteristics
The Ponui donkey is docile and sturdy. It stands about 1 metre at the withers. It is usually light dun in colour, but may be chocolate; broken-coloured donkeys cannot be registered.[2]
See also
References
- 1 2 3 Ponui Donkeys: A Rare Breed of New Zealand Origin. Rare Breeds Conservation Society of New Zealand. Accessed July 2014.
- 1 2 3 Rules for the Ponui Island Donkey register. Donkey & Mule Society of New Zealand. Accessed July 2014.
- ↑ Chamberlin, Frederick, b. 1826: An account of my proceedings since my arrival in New Zealand in 1853, with a diary (catalogue entry). Auckland War Memorial Museum Library – Te Pataka Matapuna. Accessed July 2014.
- ↑ Heaven: a jack and several jennys, catalogue entry for: Alex Stone (2013). Heaven: a jack and several jennys. Gulf News, 21 March 2013. p. 18. Library of New Zealand – Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa. Accessed July 2014.