No one messes with Bonnie. The newest employee at the University of Rhode Island’s Peckham Farm is a four-foot-tall fuzzy brown donkey, and she appears to be taking her livestock-guarding responsibilities seriously. "She’s the boss," said URI senior Josean Velez, 22, a biology and animal science major. "She’s really protective. If you’re going after the sheep, she’s going after you."
Marshall said that although not every donkey can work as a guardian, Bonnie was compatible with the farm and has done a "great job" in providing a second line of defense for the 22 adult sheep and 27 lambs, along with the rest of the livestock. "We haven’t had any problems since Bonnie’s been here," Marshall said. And if a dog or coyote did approach the flock, Marshall said the donkey would bray loudly, stomp her feet and ultimately "eliminate him" if need be. "She can kick with all four feet," he said.
According to Marshall, Bonnie has adapted well to her new surroundings. "I think she’s the coolest thing in the place," he said. The friendly donkey has a taste for treats. "If you have a carrot for her, she’s your best buddy," the manager said. |