Zwergesel

Description

Zwergesel is an animal enclosure at Bayern-Park, home to two miniature donkeys named Nele (grey) and Cara (brown). The two are rarely seen apart, spending most of their time side by side, grooming each other and staying close together in the paddock. They share their enclosure with miniature ponies, and in the evenings the animals are moved to a larger paddock with a stable. Miniature donkeys descend from the African wild ass and were domesticated as pack animals more than 7,000 years ago. Despite centuries of being kept in nutrient-rich environments, their diet has changed little: it consists primarily of plant-based food with a high crude fibre content, including hay, straw, and woody shrubs. Females are capable of reproducing year-round, though mating occurs mostly in spring, with a foal born after a gestation period of 12 to 14 months; twins are rare.