To Protect Their Flocks From Wolves, These Farmers Rely on a Donkey

In the rolling bocage of Maine-et-Loire, a French couple turned to an unlikely guardian to shield their rare sheep from roaming predators: a sturdy Poitou donkey named Kastafiore. As wolves edge back into the region, this age-old pastoral technique is drawing fresh interest—and the attention of scientists eager to blend tradition with modern livestock guardian practices.

Kastafiore, the donkey guardian

When I first visited Benoît and Marine’s farm in Chemillé-en-Anjou, Kastafiore was grazing calmly among 130 dusty Deux sheep. At 1.5 meters tall and tipping the scales at over 400 kg, this Poitou donkey looks more like a seasoned mount than a flock protector. Yet since 2021, she’s stood watch day and night, chasing away foxes, stray dogs, and even the occasional wolf. “She once spooked a fox hiding in the grass as she led the flock to fresh pasture,” Benoît recalls, stroking her coarse mane.

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Why not a protection dog?

Many neighbors have turned to guard dogs since wolves were confirmed back in January. But Benoît had reasons to stick with his four-legged mule. Their farm sits beside a popular hiking trail—no one wants surprise canine encounters. Plus, Kastafiore eats the same forage as the sheep—no special feed, and she can live to 30 years old. “She blends right in,” explains Marine, “and doesn’t need a daily kibble ration.” While she’s no miracle worker—occasional losses still occur—her presence keeps predation at economically and psychologically manageable levels.

Science explores the approach

At the University of Limoges, researchers under the CNRS-funded Relions-nous program are investigating this very strategy. They aim to revive ancestral bonds between auxiliary animals and predators, restoring a natural pastoral balance. “For thousands of years, livestock and predators co-evolved, shaping ecosystems and farming methods,” says ecologist Anne Blondeau Da Silva. Historians like Dominique Taurisson-Mouret note that donkeys were once ubiquitous in sheep herds, serving both as pack animals and as protectors against canids.

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Challenges and future prospects

Despite success stories, reintroducing donkeys into modern agriculture isn’t straightforward. Selective breeding for aesthetics has reduced genetic diversity, affecting donkey behavior. Some individuals may even harass lambs or wander off in search of mates. In contrast to state-subsidized dogs, donkey guardians receive no official support—yet demand is rising. As Stella Dupont, a local deputy, points out, “There’s room for both dogs and donkeys in our fight against predation.” Farmers like Fabienne Castetbieilh in the Pyrenees are already training select donkeys since 2017, reporting zero sheep losses.

Ultimately, sustainable predator management may combine human presence, guard dogs, and trusted donkeys like Kastafiore—reviving a mosaic of pastoral practices that once defined Europe’s rural landscapes.