You may have heard the expression “stubborn as a donkey.” It?s a common expression, but it?s really not fair to the donkey. It would be more fair to call a donkey sensible.
You can?t force or frighten a donkey into doing something that it thinks is a bad idea. You could also call a donkey intelligent.
“I?m amazed at how quickly they pick up on things,” says Carol Chenoweth, an animal keeper who works with the two young donkeys now living in The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore?s Farmyard. They are being trained to lift their feet for hoof trims, and word is? no disrespect intended ? “they learn much more quickly than a horse,” Chenoweth says.
These donkeys ? a pair of brothers ? are also playful and sociable.
If you visit them, they?ll probably come over and sniff you and maybe let you pet them. But watch out! They might nip. That?s their idea of fun.
On a recent sunny afternoon, one bit the other on the neck, which started an all-out donkey romp. Head thrashing, neck nibbling, jumping, chasing and the best move of all ? one placing his head on his brother?s back and forcing him to turn in circles. These two like to play, they like each other, and they also happen to like Cheerios. Smart donkeys.
Provided by the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore. Visit www.marylandzoo.org.
