Burro da Ilha Graciosa

Donkeys were introduced to the Azores, which does not have any large indigenous mammal, by Portuguese colonists in the fifteenth century;^[5] their presence there is documented in the Saudades da Terra of Gaspar Frutuoso (1522–1591).^[6][7] The donkey became the principal beast of burden in the Azores. It was used also for riding, but not as a draught animal. Donkeys were very numerous in the islands; in 1841 the number on São Miguel alone was estimated at 8000.^[8]

The number of donkeys on Graciosa in now severely reduced; the number remaining was reported as 26 in 2001^{[2]: 45–46} and as about 70 in 2008. As with the Miranda donkey, male donkeys used for farm work were for preference castrated; the number of donkey geldings on the island may be a factor in the effective population.^[4]

A process of recognition of the Burro da Ilha Graciosa as an autochthonous breed began in 2005. An association, the Associação de Criadores e Amigos do Burro da Ilha Graciosa, was formed in 2013.^[9] The University of the Azores oversees a programme of recovery and conservation of the remaining population; it also manages the conservation programme for the endangered Pónei da Terceira.^[10]: 36

The Burro da Ilha Graciosa is a small donkey, standing on average 105.8 cm. The coat is usually pale grey or mouse-brown in colour, but may also be bay or black; the belly, muzzle and surround of the eyes are paler. A darker dorsal stripe and shoulder-stripe are often seen, especially in pale-coloured animals; the legs may have zebra-stripes.^[4]