Save The Baudet de Poitou Donkey, AKA Chewbacca

On May 10, 2013 by Tim Newman

Now here’s a cause to put your full force behind.

There are fewer than 1,000 of these unusual furry donkeys in existence, so a campaign has been launched to save them.

It’s called the Baudet de Poitou donkey, and this unusual breed dates back to medieval times. Back then, they were bred with horses to create working mules.

The Baudet de Poitou donkey can grow up to 2.4m (8ft) tall and need to follow a strict diet to stop their incredible fur growing out of control.

You’re large beasts, but they’re so relaxed they probably wouldn’t give you any trouble. Annie Pollock is the proud owner of Britain’s largest collection of Baudets de Poitou donkeys — a herd of 22. But that’s nowhere near enough.

She saved them from French abattoirs after “instantly falling in love:”

“I love their temperament, they’re so funny and friendly, and they teach you patience…. They’re very intelligent and also a bit naughty. People often write-off donkeys but I think they are just wonderful.”