Dreadlock donkey day (From Thisisdorset)

Dreadlock donkey day

7:00pm Wednesday 9th May 2007

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WITH only 600 left in the world they are rarer than both white rhinos and giant pandas.

But a Hampshire farm is celebrating after three Poitous donkeys were born to three separate mothers during the space of one week.

Dubbed "woolly mammoth" donkeys due to their dreadlock-style winter coats and long woolly legs, the Baudet du Poitou is one of the most endangered species on the planet with only 50 born worldwide every year.

The rare breed of donkey nearly became extinct in 1978 with only 48 remaining in the world, but numbers are now estimated at between 500 and 600.

The triple birth at Woodland Farm at Pennington, near Lymington, is almost unheard of and has brought their numbers to a respectable 21 - the largest single collection in both the UK and Europe.

Annie Pollock, the farm's owner, aiming to bring the French breed back from the brink of extinction, said: "They are incredible rare, only 40 in this country, but great fun and very, very affectionate.

"They are a lovely breed but if something happened to the French herd then they would be wiped out so they need foreign breeders like us. Last year there were only two born in the whole of the UK so to have three born in one week and a fourth on the way is incredible."

The three foals are two females, Tilda and Tarka, and one male, Tomas - and a fourth Poitou foal is expected in two weeks.

The donkey was extremely popular during the Second World War because of its strength and was used to carry arms around battlefields.

With the arrival of motorised agriculture vehicles the Poitou quickly became redundant and hundreds were sent to the slaughterhouse to provide meat for a hungry and ravished post-war France.

It was only in 1977 that alarm bells started ringing over how few pure-bred Poitou donkeys were left in the world.

The farm is also home to other rare breeds of animals including miniature Mediterranean donkeys, alpacas and most recently seven rare Kune Kune piglets.

l Daily Echo readers can arrange a viewing by contacting the farm on 01590 610182 or logging on to woodfordfarm.co.uk.

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