Donkey that disappeared 5 years ago spotted with elk herd 'living his best life'

[SorellaLaBefana]

24. Wow! Had no idea this would resonate with so many as much as it did with me :)

Here is a nice discussion of Guard Donkeys. Not explicitly mentioned is the fact that the donkeys apparently get much satisfaction from looking after other herd critters

Coyotes and dogs had been a major problem at the University of Rhode Island’s Peckham Farm, home to a prize-winning flock of Dorset sheep. Then the university bought Bonnie, a guard donkey.

She came to the URI campus in December 2003 after a pack of dogs had attacked the sheep. Of the 26 ewes in the flock then, 17 suffered severe puncture wounds. One was killed, and six were badly injured, including one so seriously hurt she had to be euthanized a few weeks later.

Since the guard donkey’s arrival, the university has not lost a single animal, says Dave Marshall, Peckham Farm manager, so the school acquired a second guard donkey, named Dee...

...Donkeys are very sociable animals, though, so many think that in order to effectively do their jobs, they need to work alone. Farmers worry that if the donkeys are allowed to mix with cattle, horses or other donkeys, then the sheep will be ignored. At Beltane Farm, however, Tubey had to buy a pony to be a calming companion for his donkey, a common and sound solution for donkeys that can seem to be stressed...

https://www.hobbyfarms.com/protect-your-flock-with-guard-donkeys-2/