Donkey behaviour and cognition: A literature review

Santis, Marta De; Seganfreddo, Samanta; Galardi, Morgana; Normando, Simona; Contalbrigo, Laura

doi:10.1016/j.applanim.2021.105485

Cited by 12 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 75 publications

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“…Donkeys are gregarious animals, and as such, are negatively affected by the separation from their group. The social organisation (size and composition) of donkeys is flexible and dependent on the environmental conditions, including family groups to exclusively male groups (De Santis et al., 2021).…”

Section: Assessmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Welfare of equidae during transport

Nielsen¹,

Álvarez²,

Bicout³

et al. 2022

EFS2

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In the framework of its Farm to Fork Strategy, the Commission is undertaking a comprehensive evaluation of animal welfare legislation. This opinion deals with the protection of horses and donkeys during transport. While the opinion focuses primarily on road transport of horses, there are specific sections dealing with the transport of horses on roll-on-roll-off ferries, horses transported by air and the transport of donkeys. In addition, the opinion covers welfare concerns in relation to a specific scenario identified by the European Commission related to the transport of horses on long journeys to slaughterhouses. Current practices related to transport of horses during the different stages (preparation, loading and unloading, transit and the journey breaks) are described. Overall, 13 welfare consequences were identified as being highly relevant for the welfare of horses during transport based on severity, duration and frequency of occurrence: gastro-enteric disorders, handling stress, heat stress, injuries, isolation stress, motion stress, prolonged hunger, prolonged thirst, respiratory disorders, resting problems, restriction of movement, sensory overstimulation and separation stress. These welfare consequences and their animal-based measures are described. A variety of hazards were identified related to factors such as inexperienced/untrained handlers, lack of horse training, structural deficiencies of vehicles/facilities, poor driving skills/conditions, horse separation/regrouping, unfavourable microclimatic and environmental conditions and poor husbandry practices. The opinion contains general and specific conclusions in relation to the different stages of transport. Recommendations to prevent hazards and correct or mitigate welfare consequences have been developed. Recommendations were also developed to define quantitative thresholds for microclimatic conditions within the means of transport and for space allowance. The development of welfare consequences over time was assessed in relation to maximum journey time.

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Section: Assessmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Welfare of equidae during transport

Nielsen¹,

Álvarez²,

Bicout³

et al. 2022

EFS2

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“…However, these protocols should be adapted to the context in which they are used since welfare issues differ in different parts of the world and even different parts of the same country ( de Santis et al, 2021 ; Bukhari et al, 2022 ). For example, for working donkeys in LMICs resource-based protocols are not practical, while animal-based behavioral measures are particularly appropriate.…”

Section: Donkey and Mule Welfarementioning

confidence: 99%

“…For example, for working donkeys in LMICs resource-based protocols are not practical, while animal-based behavioral measures are particularly appropriate. Protocols should be easy to learn, low cost and rapid in their execution ( de Santis et al, 2021 ). Behavioral measures for welfare assessment consist of the general attitude of donkeys and response to human approach ( Table 2 ).…”

Section: Donkey and Mule Welfarementioning

confidence: 99%

The behavior and welfare of neglected species: some examples from fish and mammals

Bukhari,

Parkes,

Sneddon

et al. 2024

PeerJ

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Animal welfare is the state of an animal’s body and mind and the level to which its requirements are satisfied. Animal welfare is affected by human decisions and actions. Numerous decisions concerning animals are driven by human desires to enhance their own lives, and some of these decisions may be influenced by self-interest or a strong emphasis on economic factors. How to assess the welfare state of animals is a central issue in animal welfare science. Two critical questions can be used to address animal welfare: first, is the animal healthy, and second, does the animal have what it needs? Both of these questions can potentially be answered using the study of animal behavior. The development of behavioral methodologies is crucial for evaluating welfare in contexts where concern for animal welfare is often highest, such as on intensive modern farms and sites where working animals are used. Herein, we discuss animal welfare by focusing on some of its major concepts and explanations. Later, to illustrate key aspects of animal welfare, we chose to examine the information that is available for some ‘neglected’ livestock species, which are commercially important on a global basis and found in large numbers: buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis), camels (Camelus dromedarius), donkeys (Equus asinus), mules (Equus asinus × Equus caballus), and lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus). We chose these species because there are major ongoing concerns about their welfare, and more research is required to help solve the various problems. Overall, there are strong imbalances in terms of the species that are usually studied in terms of animal welfare research, and we call for greater attention to those that have traditionally been neglected.

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“…The values of single fatty acids, their corresponding families (total SFAs, total MUFAs and total PUFAs), the ratio between the families (SFA/MUFA, ω − 6/ω − 3) and the indexes (UI, PI and PUFA balance) of the healthy donkeys are reported as mean and SD in Table 4. 9 122 137 131.9 3.1 (PI) 10 48 58.2 54.2 2.3 1 Total SFA (Saturated Fatty Acids) = %C14:0 + %C16:0 + %C18:0. 2 Total MUFA (Monounsaturated Fatty Acids) = %C16:1 + %9c,C18:1 + %11c,C18:1.…”

Section: The Erythrocyte Membrane Lipidome In Healthy Donkeysmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition, while there is an increasing interest on the sperm parameters and the sexual behavior of working equids [10], scarce and imprecise data are reported on the composition of spermatozoa's membrane. Only a few studies have been conducted on equine spermatozoa lipidome or erythrocyte membranes to provide new information about lipid homeostasis [11,12].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Lipidomics of Spermatozoa and Red Blood Cells Membrane Profile of Martina Franca Donkey: Preliminary Evaluation

Prasinou

Amicis²,

Fusaro³

et al. 2022

Animals

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Fatty acid-based lipidomic analysis has been widely used to evaluate health status in human medicine as well as in the veterinary field. In equine species, there has been a developing interest in fertility and sperm quality. Fatty acids, being the principal components of the membranes, play an active role in the regulation of the metabolic activities, and their role on spermiogenesis seems to be of great importance for the resulting quality of the sperm and, thus, fertility. With the application of widely used lipidomic techniques, the aim of this study was to evaluate: a) the fatty acid content of the spermatozoa’s membranes of 26 healthy male Martina Franca donkeys and its possible correlation with sperm parameters, and b) the evaluation of the composition of the red blood cells’ membrane. PUFA omega-6 are the principal components (40.38%) of the total PUFA content (47.79%) in both types of cells; however, DPA is the predominant one on the spermatozoa’s membrane (27.57%) but is not present in the erythrocyte’s membrane. Spermatozoa’s motility (%) is positively correlated with stearic acid and EPA, and progressive motility (%), with oleic acid. These findings offer information on the composition of both types of cells’ membranes in healthy male MF donkeys and reflect the metabolic transformations of the spermatozoa’s membrane during the maturation period, providing a better perception of the role of fatty acids in sperm parameters and fertility.

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Donkey behaviour and cognition: A literature review

Cited by 12 publications

References 75 publications

Welfare of equidae during transport

Welfare of equidae during transport

The behavior and welfare of neglected species: some examples from fish and mammals

The Lipidomics of Spermatozoa and Red Blood Cells Membrane Profile of Martina Franca Donkey: Preliminary Evaluation

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