Another donkey visited by our team while in Crete was a very elderly rescue, Odyseus, fostered by responsible owners and living in a village near Agia Marina Donkey Rescue. His body condition had significantly improved since last year, due to receiving dental treatment and a change in food, suitable for geriatric donkeys. Our Equine Care Programme Coordinator, Elisa, had offered invaluable veterinary advice and support over the phone last autumn, when Odyseus had suffered from oesophagus impaction. His owners were extremely worried but followed the veterinary advice and thankfully, he recovered. Odyseus’ carers also passed onto the team the warm wishes and gratitude of the owner of an old horse aged 28, Ermis, who we had treated last year. They also showed us current photos that the owner had sent, Ermis has gained weight and is now in excellent condition for his age.
Donkeys and mules have an important role in many areas of daily life in Greece, and this is still so throughout Crete. Animal Action Greece continues to seek to reach as many of those as possible to provide care and, if needed, educate owners on issues such as proper diet and nutrition to avoid common health problems. Shelters like Agia Marina often see the worst side of animal abuse and abandonment in Greece, when equids are surrendered to them, often injured or near death. They provide an amazing sanctuary to these deserving animals with a happy and healthy retirement! But there are working equids seen in many places on Crete. From the Samaria Gorge mules, managed by the Samaria National Park and used for transport and as ‘mule ambulances’ for injured walkers, to donkey rides at the ‘Psychro Cave’ (the fabled birthplace of Zeus the Greek God). Donkeys are also seen in the remote hillside monasteries as well as with traditional shepherds herding sheep on the high plateaus of the ‘White Mountains’ (Λευκά Όρη). Our role is to ensure donkeys and mules have their welfare seen as the primary duty of owners and those who choose to work with these beautiful, intelligent and loyal creatures to help earn their living!
We would like to thank Barbara and Fanis for their hospitality, as always. Our thanks also to Danny Zie for the beautiful photos and videos! To support the invaluable work that Agia Marina do, please visit their
website and consider making a donation or sponsoring a donkey!