Cyprus donkey
 Cyprus donkey | |
| Country of origin | Cyprus |
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Donkey Equus asinus | |
The Cyprus donkey is the donkey breed of the Mediterranean island of Cyprus.[1] There are two principal strains: a large dark-coloured type with a pale belly, probably of European origin; and a small grey African type which represents about 20% of the total population, which in 2002 was estimated at 2200–2700.[2]
Some hundreds of Cyprus donkeys live in a feral state on the Karpass Peninsula in the Turkish-controlled northern part of Cyprus. They were abandoned there by Greek Cypriot farmers during the Turkish invasion in 1974. In 2008, a group of Greek and Turkish Cypriots organized to save the animals from extinction after several were found shot to death.[3]
References
- ↑ Breed data sheet: Cyprus/Cyprus. Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Accessed December 2013.
- ↑ Waltraud Kugler, Hans-Peter Grunenfelder, Elli Broxham (2008). Donkey Breeds in Europe: Inventory, Description, Need for Action, Conservation; Report 2007/2008. St. Gallen, Switzerland: Monitoring Institute for Rare Breeds and Seeds in Europe.
- ↑ "Donkey Campaign Unites Cypriots". London: BBC. 2008-04-22. Retrieved 2008-04-22.
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