Sriyani Wijesinghe
The history of job displacement by donkeys pulling loads dates back to the colonial era. With the development of the Hamilton Canal for transport during the Dutch period, the significance of donkeys in transportation diminished. Consequently, once-valued working donkeys became strays. Today, these stray donkeys, particularly in the Puttalam area, struggle to survive in the Kalpitiya Peninsula due to food shortages and a lack of suitable habitat. This has led to a rapid decline in their population, with estimates suggesting that only a few hundred remain.
Despite this plight, there is a promising future for these “rascal” Puttalam donkeys. The Peradeniya Faculty of Veterinary Medicine has embarked on an innovative research project aimed at producing donkey cheese from donkey milk, one of the most luxurious and expensive foods in the world. Professor Dangolla says that it is mentioned in history that even the world famous Cleopatra used donkey milk to protect her beauty. He further reveals that the need to prepare the latest ointments that can be produced from donkey milk, especially to increase the brightness of women’s faces, has also been revealed.
This initiative extends beyond cheese production. Donkey milk is a valuable ingredient in cosmetics and medicine, known for its benefits in treating eczema. Professor Ashoka Dangolla, head of the veterinary department, shared that the Peradeniya research team is developing a product using donkey milk to reduce facial wrinkles.
Three pairs of donkeys and a calf from the Mannar area have been brought to the Peradeniya Veterinary Department for this research. The team has begun milking these donkeys and conducting laboratory tests to identify the constituents of donkey milk, known for its close resemblance to human breast milk.
This research involves a multi-disciplinary approach. Students from the Faculty of Arts at the University of Peradeniya delved into the historical background of donkeys in Sri Lanka, tracing their origins to Arabia and their dietary preferences. This historical insight is crucial for understanding and optimizing the donkeys’ care and milk production.
Milking donkeys presents challenges due to their defensive behavior, but the team is committed to overcoming these obstacles. Donkeys consume about 5 kilos of grass daily, resulting in a small yield of milk. However, the potential economic benefits from producing high-value donkey cheese and milk-based products are significant.
Professor Dangolla highlighted the current status of donkeys in Mannar as stray animals, with no real ownership. The municipal authorities are now responsible for them, though a non-governmental organization has been providing shelter for these donkeys for many years.
Additionally, there is a local belief that when a donkey brays, it causes coconut beetles’ ears to burst, killing them. While this has been a topic of discussion, no research has been conducted on this phenomenon so far.
In conclusion, this pioneering project by the Peradeniya Faculty of Veterinary Medicine not only aims to improve the economic value of donkeys through luxury cheese production but also seeks to enhance the medical and cosmetic industries with donkey milk. This endeavor promises a brighter future for the once-stray donkeys of Sri Lanka.
