Donkeys and Goats

Bonaire has a fragile environment. It's a semi-arid, coral island with little top soil and mostly scrubby trees and little ground cover.  Which means that its soil, when disturbed, eventually finds its way into the sea and coral reefs as do other contaminates that are detrimental to the sea.

One of the threats on the island are the donkeys.  They were left by the Spaniards who used them for labor in the salt flats.  They roam free all over the island. 

They have become a tourist attraction. All are very friendly as they wander the neighborhoods because everyone feeds them.  They lay in the roads, fields and poop anywhere and everywhere. They also breed with no control.

There is a  sanctuary for sick, injured and orphaned donkeys.  They take care of some 700 donkeys.  But there are herds all over the island which probably number in the 100's.

There are also goats that roam free eating everything in their path.  There are also some goat farmers that contain their herd.  Once in a while a goat is reported stolen.  But who wants a goat? Goat stew is a popular local dish.  Not for us.  We tried it once and that was enough.

The island government has developed an environmental management plan which includes bringing the donkeys and goats into a manageable number that will not destroy the island ecology.  

The plan also includes recycling.  Recycling centers have been set up throughout the island.  We are thankful for this because we had  tons of cardboard and Styrofoam from the move. And the beer and wine bottles were piling up. The island had previously discontinued one use plastic bags at the grocery store.  I am glad I shipped my shopping bags.

Limiting the number of visitors on the island is another issue in the plan. Everyone likes the income from cruise ships but the hoards of people have an adverse impact on the reef as well as the land. The island government wants "high-end yachts" with limited people.  Really, they want only a few  rich people to come that will spend loads of money.