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A fluffy brown donkey stands in a sandy enclosure, with its large ears perked up, surrounded by trees and wooden fencing.
Meet the Animals

Miniature Donkey

Miniature donkeys are a small and charming breed that typically stand no taller than 36 inches at the shoulder. Despite their size, they are full of personality and have a distinctive black or brown cross of fur running from their neck to their lower back. These donkeys may be small, but they have a big heart and make excellent companions.

Miniature donkeys in the U.S. trace their origins back to 1929, when a shipment of small donkeys from the Mediterranean region arrived. Unlike larger donkeys traditionally used as working animals, these mini donkeys are mostly cared for as pets or companion animals, due to their smaller size and limited ability to carry heavy loads.

Meet Lady and LJ
At the zoo, we care for two adorable miniature donkey jennies, Lady and LJ. These sweet donkeys enjoy a life full of fun activities and cozy treats. We feed them hay and provide plenty of enrichment to keep them happy. They love rolling in sidewalk chalk, rubbing against brushes, playing with jolly balls, and going on walks with their keepers.

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