Meet Spain’s ‘firefighting donkeys’: How a woman turned 18 rescued animals into unlikely heroes by grazing away dry vegetation to help prevent dangerous wildfires

In the dry, sun-drenched landscape of Andalusia, Spain, a group of rescued donkeys is taking on an unusual role in wildfire prevention. Instead of firefighters and machinery, these animals help protect the land simply by grazing on dry vegetation.


The 18 donkeys are part of a conservation initiative around Doñana National Park, where they eat grasses, shrubs and other plants that can become dangerous fuel during the hot, dry summer months.

How Donkeys Are Helping Prevent Wildfires

Since 2014, the donkeys have been grazing for several hours a day in designated areas around the park. Their feeding naturally clears vegetation and creates firebreaks, or gaps in plant cover that can slow the spread of a wildfire.

The project is associated with El Burrito Feliz (“The Happy Little Donkey”), led by Luis Manuel Bejarano. What began as an effort to rescue abandoned and mistreated donkeys has developed into an unusual environmental conservation project.

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Grazing Creates Natural Firebreaks

The donkeys are moved into controlled grazing sections, where they clear areas of dry grass, weeds and shrubs. These cleared corridors reduce the amount of vegetation available to fuel a fire.

Each grazing section is carefully managed, allowing the animals to create barriers while also protecting the surrounding ecosystem. This approach is particularly useful in southern Europe, where hotter and drier conditions have increased wildfire risks in recent years.

An Eco-Friendly Alternative to Mechanical Clearing

Wildfire prevention often involves machinery, manual vegetation removal or controlled burning, all of which can require considerable resources.

Using donkeys provides a more natural approach. As they graze, they reduce combustible vegetation without heavy machinery or additional fuel use. The method can also help maintain open habitats and limit the spread of unwanted vegetation.

A Second Chance for Rescued Donkeys

The initiative also has an important animal welfare component. The donkeys involved in the programme are rescued animals that receive veterinary care before being placed in controlled grazing areas.

Instead of facing neglect, the animals now have a role in protecting the landscape while living in managed conditions.

The Idea Is Inspiring Similar Projects

The concept has also been adopted elsewhere in Spain. In Catalonia, groups of rescued donkeys have been used to graze forest areas and reduce vegetation that could contribute to wildfires.

Known as “grazing firebreaks,” the approach demonstrates how animal welfare and environmental conservation can work together.

The project offers a simple but innovative lesson: sometimes, protecting vulnerable landscapes can involve working with nature rather than against it.

[With TOI inputs]