Protests As Datça Mishandles & Moves Its Wild Donkey Population

Wild donkeys are an integral part of the natural ecosystem in the Datça region and are commonly spotted along roads like the Datça-Marmaris highway.

These wonderful creatures have adapted to live independently in the wild, thriving without the need for domestication.

They are loved by many tourists who visit Datça, which is located on the Reşadiye Peninsula near Marmaris.

June 19th 2025

Datça municipality undertook the task of collecting donkeys, totalling 50, which included a pregnant donkey among them.

Unfortunately, during the process, all the donkeys, including the pregnant one, were sedated without prior knowledge of their medical history.

Moreover, none of the donkeys were weighed before sedation, a bad practice which could potentially lead to serious health risks for the animals involved, particularly the pregnant mare.

Following sedation, the donkeys were loaded into the backs of utility vehicles. They were secured in a manner that raises significant welfare concerns, presumably to prevent them from falling out onto the road during transport.

Despite protests from kind people in the area & an attempted road block the donkeys were taken away.

Residents of Datça gathered at the entrance of Datça Municipality demanding an explanation from the mayor.

They wanted to know where the donkeys were & why they had been subjected to such harsh treatment.

The collection of the wild donkeys & the disturbing handling was justified by claiming that the donkeys were causing traffic accidents.

It was explained that these incidents occurred because people were feeding the donkeys by the roadside, which lured them onto the roads.

The statement released by the Datça municipality conveyed their disagreement with the decision to remove the donkeys.

They clarified that the decision was beyond their control and was approved through a vote.

In response, the mayor filed an objection to which he was told that failure to carry out the decision would result in legal proceedings against the municipality.

We are currently engaged in efforts to locate and assess the health conditions of the donkeys.

The municipality has assured us that the donkeys are under their supervision, are healthy, and they are actively seeking individuals interested in adopting them.

Dog Desk Animal Action firmly opposes the confinement of wild animals and appeals to decision-makers to collaborate with those equipped to address human-animal conflicts.

We eagerly anticipate the safe return of the donkeys to their natural habitat.

In addition to seeking help from organizations for advice on managing human / animal conflict we also recommend the same for education on the safe handling of wild animals. Decision makers are encouraged to actively seek relationships with experts to develop comprehensive guidelines.

These guidelines should cover all aspects of wildlife management, ensuring that both the welfare of animals and the safety of handlers are prioritized.

By fostering partnerships with specialized groups, decision makers can enhance their understanding and implement best practices for the ethical treatment and transport of wild animals.

What happened in Datça must never happen again.