Around the year 1500 the Spanish brought the donkey to Aruba. Equus Asinus, the donkey, originates from Africa and migrated with the silk route to the Mediterranean. They can be distinguished by the stripe it has running from the ears to the tail, crossing at the shoulders. 

The donkey played an important role in the Aruban economy since the beginning and was used as a way of transportation. Water distribution was one of their daily tasks 

1820-1900

1920

fraters 1922

1930

1930

1947

Dolores Geerman 1950

 Transport water

Pos Mahuma 1907

1930

Pos Seroe Preto, San Nicolas 1945

1947

1947

Pos Ayo

 Selling the water down town Oranjestad

Replaced by cars

French Men's Pass 1930

At work

 1964 at the Aloe plant/factory

Donkeys at work

When there was no need for donkeys anymore, one by one was set free... 

They could survive very well in this climate. The donkey is a desert animal and can do without water, if necessary, for 4 days. Adjusted to the local flora, they eat cactus, leaves from almost all the trees and of course the kwihi bean which they really love!

The car, who replaced them, became their mortal enemy. Hence the foundation Save our Donkeys was established April 14, 1997. The first donkeys come from Pos Chiquito where they kept crossing the main road and were being hit by cars. Another reason for our foundation: mistreatment by men.