A British woman in France is taking steps to preserve a rare breed of donkey by sending one of her own animals to the US.
Tracey Stevens and her family bought a house in La Drôme in 2012 to open a gîte business, Les Beaux Chenes. She added a donkey sanctuary in 2016.
“I have always been passionate about donkeys but it was not even possible to have a dog, let alone donkeys, in our suburban lives in England,” she said.
In May, she waved off Nadège de Barret, a Poitou donkey foal born at the sanctuary, who was starting a new life in the US.
It marked the first time a pure race Poitou Livre A has gone to the US in over 25 years.
“This is no ordinary journey,” said Mrs Stevens. “Nadège represents hope for the global conservation of her endangered breed.”
The Poitou is a French breed characterised by its large build, big ears and shaggy coat.
It hails from the Poitou region of France and was traditionally bred with Poitevin horses to produce Poitevin mules.
An increase in mechanisation in the mid-20th century meant there was less demand for the breed and numbers drastically decreased.
Tracy created the donkey sanctuary in 2016Tracy Stephens
Donkeys are classed as Livre A if they are purebred with documented Poitou parentage on both sides. Don
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keys with just one purebred Poitou parent are classed as Livre B.
“Although 22 Poitous were exported to the US more than two decades ago, the population there has remained isolated. Today, there are around 80 Poitous there, but many are genetically inbred,” said Mrs Stephens.
Nadège will bring “essential new blood to a population that desperately needs it”.
Her parents, both Livre A, will remain in France; her mother is pregnant again, so “continuing the vital line”.
It has not been a simple process helping to preserve the breed.
“Poitou reproduction is all consuming, expensive, sometimes heartbreaking but so very special and important.”
Visitors play a vital role
Gîte customers support the donkey sanctuary.
“By staying here, they directly help me run the project. It would be impossible otherwise. Customers love them; they get to meet and walk with them and find out more about them.”
The breed is still at risk; only pure race males approved by a special commission are allowed to breed to help save the species.
"My donkeys are my long-eared children," says TracyTracy Stephens
“There are some amazing breeders in France, where most of the pure race donkeys are. But there is so little research and no database. I am keen to work with others to set up a database so we can share resources which could help save Poitou lives.”
Saying goodbye to Nadège was emotional for Mrs Stevens.
“My donkeys are my long-eared children, it was so hard to see Nadège go but we know it’s the right decision.”
“It’s about doing what is best for a fragile, historic breed. It deserves a future, not just in France, but across the world.”
Nadège is now happily installed in her new home in Vermont.
“Nadège has been received like the star she is,” Mrs Stevens said. “I now see photos every day and speak to her on Whatsapp videos each week. Her ears prick up and she takes the phone in her mouth when I talk!”
“I believe that I am connected with the babies born in my arms and Nadège will always carry a part of home, us, her parents and La Drôme in her heart and her soul.”
