Demand soars for donkeys as livestock owners seek them out to protect their stock

A decline in the global donkey population and surge in their popularity amongst livestock owners has seen the price of asses skyrocket.

Donkeys have become a popular addition to mobs of sheep as guardians against predators, and to cattle as peacekeepers to prevent fighting.

West Australian livestock agent Phil Petricevich said prices for donkeys had soared.

"In the past 18 months we've seen a big jump in prices," he said.

"It started off at around about $600 to $700 a donkey, then a couple of sales ago I think it reached $2,500 for a good young jenny."

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Article written by: Joanna Prendergast