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All Aruba Santa Cruz Donkey Sanctuary Aruba

Donkey Sanctuary Aruba

A safe place for the wild donkeys of a hot vacation destination.

Santa Cruz, Aruba

Added By
Melissa Marshall
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Many of the cute donkeys.   Donkey Sanctuary Aruba
Many of the cute donkeys.   Donkey Sanctuary Aruba
Donkey Sanctuary Aruba   Donkey Sanctuary Aruba
Feeding time.   Donkey Sanctuary Aruba
  IGRipplesyou / Atlas Obscura User
  IGRipplesyou / Atlas Obscura User
  IGRipplesyou / Atlas Obscura User
  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
  Mitch Lang / Atlas Obscura User
  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
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About

In the rough desert interior of an island known for its beaches, the Aruba Donkey Sanctuary houses and cares for some of the island's most vulnerable early immigrants.

These adorable equines were brought to the island as beasts of burden during the colonial era and then, when their usefulness came to an end, they were released to fend for themselves. They thrived in packs until overpopulation made them a nuisance. Many of the "wild" donkeys were shot, fed to visiting circus animals and hit by cars. On top of that, their population was decimated by disease, and they nearly died out.

However, in the mid-twentieth century, a movement began to save the Aruban donkeys, and today the humble non-profit sanctuary provides food, shelter, and medical care to almost two hundred animals. Visitors can feed (sold on site in $1 and $3 containers) and pet the donkeys, and locals are encouraged to adopt them.

Related Tags

Animals Sanctuaries Wildlife Sanctuaries

Know Before You Go

Take route 4A from the hotels. At the Pizza Hut in Paradera take a left turn. At the second intersection, just before Ayo Rock formation, you will find the white/brown road signs to the sanctuary.

Parking is free of charge.

Community Contributors

Added By

Melissa Marshall

Edited By

rugby007, Mitch Lang, Collector of Experiences, IGRipplesyou

  • rugby007
  • Mitch Lang
  • Collector of Experiences
  • IGRipplesyou

Published

October 3, 2013

Edit this listing

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Sources
  • http://www.visitaruba.com/about-aruba/general-aruba-facts/flora-and-fauna/wild-donkeys/
Donkey Sanctuary Aruba
Sta Lucia 4A
Santa Cruz
Aruba
12.524391, -69.9645
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins

Noord, Aruba

miles away

Alto Vista Chapel

Noord, Aruba

miles away

Santana di Cacho (Pet Cemetery)

San Nicolas, Aruba

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Aruba

Aruba

Caribbean

Places 2

Nearby Places

Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins

Noord, Aruba

miles away

Alto Vista Chapel

Noord, Aruba

miles away

Santana di Cacho (Pet Cemetery)

San Nicolas, Aruba

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Aruba

Aruba

Caribbean

Places 2

Related Stories and Lists

Donkeys in All Directions: The Global History of an Adorable Beast of Burden

animals

By Melissa Marshall

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