Spain recently experienced its worst wildfire season in 30 years, with about one million acres burned by August 2025. Many regions, including Andalusia, were declared disaster zones. However, near Doñana National Park, a vital sanctuary for endangered species, the land stayed safe from the fires.
This protection doesn't come from helicopters or water bombers. Instead, eighteen rescued donkeys are used. Since about 2014, a nonprofit group called El Burrito Feliz has used these animals to reduce fire risks before they start. Luis Manuel Bejarano, the group's president, started this unique method. He saw that donkeys, which society had forgotten, could help with a growing environmental problem.
Between March and November, the donkeys eat for up to seven hours daily in assigned areas. They consume large amounts of dry plants, creating natural firebreaks. This removes the fuel that helps fires spread quickly. Experts say donkeys are good at this because they can digest tough plants better than sheep or cattle. They are also heavy, and their hooves break up dry brush as they walk.
Volunteers from Mujeres por Doñana manage the donkeys. They carry supplies by hand to areas where vehicles cannot go. Each donkey needs about eight gallons of water daily, which the volunteers bring into the wilderness.
The project receives no government funding and relies on volunteers and donations. They have asked for materials like fencing instead of money. Cristina Mariño, a coordinator, expressed frustration with the lack of government support.
The areas watched by the donkeys have not had a wildfire in about ten years. This success has attracted the attention of Spain's Military Emergency Unit, which officially supported the strategy and even adopted a donkey. Similar programs are now starting in other parts of Spain, using donkeys to clear land in protected areas. Some now use GPS collars to track the animals.