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words by Carol King Two rare white donkeys have been born at a nature reserve in Perugia. The albino donkey is a protected species native to the islands of Sardinia and Asinara. Known as the Asinara donkey, the animals are indigenous to Asinara, a small island off the northwest coast of Sardinia. There are approximately 90 donkeys on Asinara and another 30 at the Porto Conte Regional Nature Park in Alghero, Sardinia. An Asinara donkey was given to the Città della Domenica nature reserve in Perugia in the 1980s. Since then, other donkeys have been donated to the park as part of a conservation project run by the University of Perugia and the Ozieri Equestrian Institute. The donkeys at the Città della Domenica reserve have begun to breed, helping ensure the species survives. The reserve held the Feast of the White Donkey to celebrate the birth of the new arrivals, which included donkey-themed activities. The white donkey reaches a height of around 3 feet at the shoulder; it has a heavy head, short neck, thin but strong legs and a thick coat. Its white coat is soft and not very bristly. Its skin is a pinkish colour and its eyes are pink to light blue in colour. The origin of the Asinara donkey is uncertain. It is thought it may descend from white donkeys imported from Egypt during the last century by the Marquis of Mores Duca dell’Asinara. However, according to a local legend, the donkeys settled in Asinara after being transported there by a shipwrecked vessel en route to France.