DONKEYS, mules and horses, also called equids, have served humanity for millennia. In the past, horses pulled carriages for transportation, while donkeys and mules were used for load-bearing. No army was complete without front-line cavalry or animal transport battalions.

Modern mechanisation has all but replaced animal labour. In industrialised countries, equids are mainly confined to national parks and zoos. A small number of horses are kept for ceremonial duties and equestrian sports, mostly for the well-heeled. But in low- and middle-income countries, working animals continue to contribute to economic activities and sustain livelihoods. Globally, about 600 million people depend on working animals, especially donkeys, to secure incomes.

Gainfully employed in agriculture, carrying drinking water and ensuring supply chains in difficult terrains, donkeys help governments fight hunger and poverty.

Contrary to the common perception, donkeys are intelligent and dependable companions for humans — from being bearers of domestic and agricultural burdens to enabling community trade. Their resilience and stoicism enable them to adapt to harsh climate conditions and work for hours in severe heat or freezing cold. Post-disaster, when........

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