News

Meet Poitou Donkey, A Rare Donkey Breed That Grows Dreadlocks

Poitou donkeys or even called Baudet du Poitou are donkey breeds that originate from the Poitou region of France. It is famous mainly for its large size and its special coating which will form dreadlocks if left ungroomed for a long time.

Due to its size and strength, the Poitou donkey is one of the most popular animals in the past. It was exported to many countries, including America, Russia, the Belgian Congo, and North Africa.

While in France, Poitou was raised solely for use in donkey breeding, an activity that contributed significantly to the French agricultural economy.

Picture: Google

In the former province of Poitou, donkey breeders would traditionally leave the animal’s fur ungroomed, causing it to form uneven bumps known as dreadlocks. Sometimes, it will grow so long that it can reach the ground.

Unfortunately, due to the widespread use of machines in the 20th century, donkey breeding is no longer relevant. Many breeders decide to abandoned or killed these animals. In 1977, a survey found that there were only 44 specimens left globally.

According to Oddity Central, thanks to conservation efforts initiated by a number of breeders and public and private organizations, Poitou donkeys were successfully rescued from extinction. Today, there are hundreds of them living in various countries around the world.

Although no longer threatened with extinction, this donkey breed is still classified as endangered. This is because the population of Poitou donkeys is now below 500 worldwide.

Source: Oddity Central, The Donkey Sanctuary

Adib Mohd

Recent Posts

Toshiba Turns 95 with a Giant Fridge, Big Vibes & A Spot in the Malaysia Book of Records

Who says anniversaries are just cake and candles? For Toshiba’s 95th Anniversary Dealer Convention, it… Read More

2 days ago

Resorts World Sentosa’s Singapore Oceanarium Introduces New Experiences As Ticket Sales Go Live

Resorts World Sentosa (RWS, 圣淘沙名胜世界) has announced that ticket sales have launched for Singapore Oceanarium… Read More

2 days ago

Barista Brews at Prices You Won’t Believe Exist

Think handcrafted coffee always comes with a hefty price tag? Think again. Across Malaysia, cafés… Read More

2 days ago

POCO Introduces POCO F7: Where Futuristic Design Meets Exceptional Power

POCO, a leading technology brand among young tech enthusiasts, today unveiled POCO F7, setting a… Read More

2 days ago

Proton Owners Hit the Road for Wellness: AG Autoworld x Herbal Farmer Flag Off First-Ever Fun Drive in Johor

What do you get when you mix wellness, good vibes, and 30 Proton cars? A… Read More

2 days ago

OMSMC Earns Spot in Newsweek’s Global Hospital Rating 2025

Oriental Melaka Straits Medical Centre (OMSMC) has been listed in Newsweek’s Global Hospital Rating 2025,… Read More

2 days ago

This website uses cookies.