Feral Donkeys on the Karpaz Penninsula

Feral Donkeys on the Karpaz Penninsula

Populations and Implication for Natural Ecosystems John P. Carroll Richard Hamrick Serife Gunduz Tahir Pirgalioglu

Background

 Numerous researchers have documented the adverse effects of feral donkeys Equus asinus introduced to semi-arid ecosystems.

 With the release of feral donkeys and potential

increasing populations in natural habitats in northern Cyprus, there is concern for negative impacts on

vegetation and native species.

What is the Cyprus Donkey?

 Species Equus Asinus

 Domesticated livestock derived from the African wild ass

 Originally found in north and northeast Africa

 Adapted to live in arid and semi-arid environments

 Long history as a work with domestication occurring about 3000BC

 Likely on Cyprus almost that long

What is feral?

 Dictionary Definition

 (of animals and plants) existing in a wild state, esp. after being domestic or cultivated

 Feral Donkeys

 Like many species of livestock widely introduced by humans—global distribution

 Easily adapts to feral state in semi-arid environments

 With absence of persecution and large predators populations increase rapidly

 Eradication programs instituted in many areas

Situation in Cyprus

 Two major contributions

 Modernization of agriculture—no need for donkeys as work animals

 Division of island in 1973

 “Solution” was to capture feral animals and release in enclosure on Karpaz Peninsula

 Like any enclosure animals escaped and have moved widely

What is the Problem?

 Rapid population increases

 Damage to native vegetation

 Some species might even become extirpated

 Changes in vegetation negatively impact native species

 Core area for donkey population

 Region is of great conservation importance

 National park status for part

 Virtually no information on Cyprus donkey biology or impacts

 Cyprus donkeys have a dedicated following among the human population

Decisions must be made?

 Cyprus donkeys are a unique breed of domestic livestock

—most can agree on that issue.

 Do Cyprus donkeys belong in feral condition?

 Are they damaging natural ecosystems?

 What can be done if they need to be removed from natural ecosystems?

Where to Start?

 Determining what you have?

 In part done with completed abundance project

 Density 6.7 donkeys/km²; total abundance was 800 donkeys on 132.5 km² study area

 However, more research and monitoring is needed

 Distribution

 Additional abundance estimates

 Basic natural history studies

 Are the creating problems in the wild?

 Vegetation studies

 Biodiversity studies

Possible Solutions?

 Manage donkeys as a feral population with abundance at level where damage to ecosystem is minimal

 Remove feral population from natural ecosystems all together

 Both solutions fraught with difficulties

Managing Feral Populations

 Culling

 Adoption

 Fencing

 Sterilization

All have problems—Australia systems….

 Trapping or mustering feral donkeys so that they may be sold for commercial purposes. This technique, while

potentially effective is expensive and time consuming over large areas.

 Aerial culling. This management practice requires extensive training of personnel because of the

significant potential danger to humans as well as animal welfare concerns. Aerial culling is one of the most

effective, environmentally friendly and humane

methods of removing large feral animals because it is target-specific and if implemented correctly will result in a rapid death, with very little suffering to the animal.

From Australia NT

More from Australia….

 On-ground culling. This technique is humane and

relatively cost-effective compared with many of the other techniques, but is limited to accessible terrains.

 Fertility control is a non-lethal approach to feral

donkey management but it is currently of limited use.

Fertility control techniques are difficult to administer to large numbers of feral donkeys and the treatment would need to be repeated often to be effective. There is very little evidence to suggest that this procedure would be effective or feasible for controlling large numbers of feral animals.

Feral donkey removal from natural ecosystems….

 Many of the same problems and techniques just outlined

 However, will be more cost effective because even if not 100% population recovery much slower

 Likely best option for either management

program is use of multiple techniques

Human Issue

 Humane management of feral donkeys

 Often public thinks leave them alone

 I argue that leaving domestic donkeys in wild is inhumane

 They are domestic animals who have thousands of years of human husbandry

 Public needs to be part of solution

 If capture is part of management then donkey advocates must provide solutions on adoption and management

 If movement to captive facility is solution then funding for that needs to be developed

Finally—What are NOT Solutions?

 Ignore issue and assume it will go away

 Populations will continue to grow

 If not now damaging native ecosystem will in future

 Supplemental feeding

 Does not work

 Will reduce mortality and increase reproduction

 Animals will still damage ecosystem

Recommendations

 Develop Cyprus donkey management plan

 Research

 Distribution and abundance

 Vegetation exclosure studies

 Natural history

 Monitoring

 Distribution and abundance

 Management

 Plan for population management

 Plan for removal