Originally brought to the island for hauling and transportation, donkeys remain a big part of St. John life. Jacks (male donkeys) and jennies (female donkeys) roam freely across the island, from the hiking trails along North Shore to the tasty home vegetable gardens of the residents out on the East End, making a meal from every overflowing dumpster they pass along the way.
St. John donkeys are definitely on island time, moving little and posing proudly for gawking tourists taking pictures out their jeep windows. Feeding the wild donkeys is obviously discouraged, although I admit to traveling with apple and carrot treats for my furry island friends. It’s hard not to like them, even when they do eat every %$#@! tomato plant. I blame the baby donkeys for my blind love. While adult donkeys have horse hair, foals are fluffy and soft.
Who can resist this? Just don’t get too close with a jenny around, unless you have enough apples for everyone.