The country’s Ministry of Rural Development and Food has published a new set of regulations: Donkeys should not carry any loads heavier than 100kg in Santorini.
The bulletin states donkeys should be given appropriate and adequate food and fresh drinking water, they should not carry an unacceptable load, working long hours with ill-fitting saddles
The load cannot exceed the weight of 100kg, or one fifth of their body weight.
Santorini is a popular stop-off point for cruise ships. Between May and October, up to five cruise ships a day can bring 1,200 tourists to the island.
Christina Kaloudi, 42, set up the Santorini Animal Welfare Association after she moved to the island 10 years ago.
She said she the number of overweight tourists arriving from places like America, Russia and the UK are soaring.
The obese and overweight tourists, combined with the lack of shade and water as well as the sheer heat and 568 cobbled steps, is what is causing such a problem.
There should be a weight restriction. With donkeys it is should be no more than 50kg, but how would that be imposed and who would be there to make sure that happened?
Now they’re having to resort to using cross-bred mules, because the donkeys just aren’t strong enough.
Their hard work has paid off.
Christina added:
We don’t want to stop the locals making a living or using donkeys on the steps but to look after them in a fair and humane way.
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