URGENT: Stop the Eradication of Bonaire's Free-Roaming Donkeys Before It’s Too Late
The Issue
Time is running out!
Your support is urgently needed - these historic, free-roaming donkeys are targeted for total eradication from the wild!
We need massive global support to stop this destruction immediately and force the government to implement the expert-approved Holistic Bonaire Donkey Salvation Plan.
Under the current "Nature and Environment Policy Plan for the Caribbean Netherlands 2020-2030", a government-backed plan is actively clearing the historic, free-roaming donkeys from the island of Bonaire. Beautiful family groups are being broken up, causing severe trauma and chaos.
But there is immediate hope: wildlife experts, biologists, and local animal welfare organizations have developed a proven, holistic management plan to save them.
We need your urgent signature to stop the eradication and force the government to implement this Holistic Management Plan now!
The Situation
Bonaire is a special municipality of the Netherlands. While it is located in the Caribbean, its legal and political framework is deeply intertwined with Dutch legislation. Decisions made in The Hague directly impact the survival of Bonaire's wildlife.
The current "Nature and Environment Policy Plan for the Caribbean Netherlands 2020-2030 " (Appendix 3, 1.1.1 b) poses a direct threat to the existence of the free-roaming donkey population, prioritizing flawed landscape management over the welfare and cultural heritage of these animals.
THE PETITION
The historic free-roaming donkeys of Bonaire are under immediate threat of total eradication.
Formally embedded in the Nature and Environment Policy Plan for the Caribbean Netherlands 2020-2030 (Natuur- en milieubeleidsplan Caribisch Nederland 2020-2030, Appendix 3, 1.1.1 b), current policies target the removal of these iconic animals from the wild.
The execution is already failing and causing extreme distress: females and foals are being permanently separated and captured into crowded, fenced-in facilities, leaving aggressive, traumatized male herds behind to wander the landscape. If this continues, it will mean the complete extinction of a unique breed that has been a cherished part of Bonaire’s culture and heritage for over 500 years.
Why This is an Urgent Crisis
- Genetic Destruction: DNA testing confirms these donkeys are direct descendants of the critically endangered African Wild Nubian Ass (Equus africanus), which is already extinct in its original homeland (IUCN Red List: iucnredlist.org/species/7949/45170994).
Eradicating them means losing an irreplaceable global genetic heritage.
- Cruelty: UNESCO states that if a community feels an animal is part of its heritage, it should be protected at all costs. The local people want their donkeys free and protected.
- Flawed Arguments: Removal agendas were pushed without scientific data, under the false claim that the donkeys would destroy all vegetation. Decades later, Bonaire is greener than ever!
The Solution Already Exists!
We do not have to choose between nature conservation and animal welfare. Bonaire's dedicated nature foundations (including the Bonaire Donkey Protection League, We Care For Bonaire, Citizens For Better Safer Animal Friendly Bonaire, Bonaire Wild Donkeys) have partnered with local wildlife experts and international biologists to build a Holistic Management Plan.
This solution is ready to be applied immediately and includes:
- Safe Relocation: Moving donkeys away from urban traffic and roads into managed, safe backcountry zones where they can roam naturally.
- Humane Population Control: Using proven, non-lethal darted fertility controls (stopping pregnancy for 3 years without harmful castration) to seamlessly manage numbers over time.
- Preserving Families: Halting the catastrophic capture of females so social structures can heal.
We urge the Dutch government to recognize its responsibility for animal welfare and its commitment to international conservation agreements such as CITES.
- IMMEDIATELY HALT the failed, cruel capture and eradication campaign as stated in "Nature and Environment Policy Plan for the Caribbean Netherlands 2020-2030"
- OFFICIALLY ADOPT the wildlife expert-approved Holistic Management Plan to keep Bonaire's donkeys safe, healthy, and free.
Important Update
Political Breakthrough: A Critical Window of Opportunity
We have reached a historic turning point. Our petition to protect these donkeys has been officially accepted by the
Permanent Committee for Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature (LVVN) of the Dutch House of Representatives (Tweede Kamer).
The committee has formally stated:
"The committee has decided that your correspondence contains information that can be used during the committee debate ‘Animals outside of livestock farming and Laboratory animals’. "
This means our voice is officially on the table in The Hague.
Immediate Action is needed!
We must build massive pressure before this crucial parliamentary debate is officially scheduled!
Please take action today:
- Sign and Share this petition: Spread this link Change.org/KeepBonaireDonkeysFreeAndSafe far and wide.
- Raise Awareness: Share this story through your network, email lists, or social media channels using the hashtag
#BonaireDonkeysFreeAndSafe #SignAndShare
Follow our updates on Facebook and Instagram to stay informed about the campaign.
- Stay Informed: We will keep you updated on the scheduling of the parliamentary debate and the subsequent outcomes.
Instagram @bonairedonkeysfreeandsafe
Facebook: BonaireDonkeysFreeAndSafe
Youtube.com/@BonaireDonkeysFreeandSafe
change.org/KeepBonaireDonkeysFreeAndSafe
Nederlandse (Dutch) petitie
Thank you for standing with the free-roaming donkeys of Bonaire.
Laga nos burikunan liber den mondi – Keep Bonaire's donkeys free!
#SaveBonairesFreeRoamingDonkeys #SaveBonairesFreeRoamingDonkeys #SignAndShare
#StopBonairesDonkeyEradication #TheWorldIsWatching #ProtectBonaireHeritage #EverySignatureCounts #BonaireDonkeyStayFreeAndSafe #VoiceForTheVoiceless #BonaireWildDonkeys #AnimalWelfare #AnimalAdvocacy
41
The Issue
Time is running out!
Your support is urgently needed - these historic, free-roaming donkeys are targeted for total eradication from the wild!
We need massive global support to stop this destruction immediately and force the government to implement the expert-approved Holistic Bonaire Donkey Salvation Plan.
Under the current "Nature and Environment Policy Plan for the Caribbean Netherlands 2020-2030", a government-backed plan is actively clearing the historic, free-roaming donkeys from the island of Bonaire. Beautiful family groups are being broken up, causing severe trauma and chaos.
But there is immediate hope: wildlife experts, biologists, and local animal welfare organizations have developed a proven, holistic management plan to save them.
We need your urgent signature to stop the eradication and force the government to implement this Holistic Management Plan now!
The Situation
Bonaire is a special municipality of the Netherlands. While it is located in the Caribbean, its legal and political framework is deeply intertwined with Dutch legislation. Decisions made in The Hague directly impact the survival of Bonaire's wildlife.
The current "Nature and Environment Policy Plan for the Caribbean Netherlands 2020-2030 " (Appendix 3, 1.1.1 b) poses a direct threat to the existence of the free-roaming donkey population, prioritizing flawed landscape management over the welfare and cultural heritage of these animals.
THE PETITION
The historic free-roaming donkeys of Bonaire are under immediate threat of total eradication.
Formally embedded in the Nature and Environment Policy Plan for the Caribbean Netherlands 2020-2030 (Natuur- en milieubeleidsplan Caribisch Nederland 2020-2030, Appendix 3, 1.1.1 b), current policies target the removal of these iconic animals from the wild.
The execution is already failing and causing extreme distress: females and foals are being permanently separated and captured into crowded, fenced-in facilities, leaving aggressive, traumatized male herds behind to wander the landscape. If this continues, it will mean the complete extinction of a unique breed that has been a cherished part of Bonaire’s culture and heritage for over 500 years.
Why This is an Urgent Crisis
- Genetic Destruction: DNA testing confirms these donkeys are direct descendants of the critically endangered African Wild Nubian Ass (Equus africanus), which is already extinct in its original homeland (IUCN Red List: iucnredlist.org/species/7949/45170994).
Eradicating them means losing an irreplaceable global genetic heritage.
- Cruelty: UNESCO states that if a community feels an animal is part of its heritage, it should be protected at all costs. The local people want their donkeys free and protected.
- Flawed Arguments: Removal agendas were pushed without scientific data, under the false claim that the donkeys would destroy all vegetation. Decades later, Bonaire is greener than ever!
The Solution Already Exists!
We do not have to choose between nature conservation and animal welfare. Bonaire's dedicated nature foundations (including the Bonaire Donkey Protection League, We Care For Bonaire, Citizens For Better Safer Animal Friendly Bonaire, Bonaire Wild Donkeys) have partnered with local wildlife experts and international biologists to build a Holistic Management Plan.
This solution is ready to be applied immediately and includes:
- Safe Relocation: Moving donkeys away from urban traffic and roads into managed, safe backcountry zones where they can roam naturally.
- Humane Population Control: Using proven, non-lethal darted fertility controls (stopping pregnancy for 3 years without harmful castration) to seamlessly manage numbers over time.
- Preserving Families: Halting the catastrophic capture of females so social structures can heal.
We urge the Dutch government to recognize its responsibility for animal welfare and its commitment to international conservation agreements such as CITES.
- IMMEDIATELY HALT the failed, cruel capture and eradication campaign as stated in "Nature and Environment Policy Plan for the Caribbean Netherlands 2020-2030"
- OFFICIALLY ADOPT the wildlife expert-approved Holistic Management Plan to keep Bonaire's donkeys safe, healthy, and free.
Important Update
Political Breakthrough: A Critical Window of Opportunity
We have reached a historic turning point. Our petition to protect these donkeys has been officially accepted by the
Permanent Committee for Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature (LVVN) of the Dutch House of Representatives (Tweede Kamer).
The committee has formally stated:
"The committee has decided that your correspondence contains information that can be used during the committee debate ‘Animals outside of livestock farming and Laboratory animals’. "
This means our voice is officially on the table in The Hague.
Immediate Action is needed!
We must build massive pressure before this crucial parliamentary debate is officially scheduled!
Please take action today:
- Sign and Share this petition: Spread this link Change.org/KeepBonaireDonkeysFreeAndSafe far and wide.
- Raise Awareness: Share this story through your network, email lists, or social media channels using the hashtag
#BonaireDonkeysFreeAndSafe #SignAndShare
Follow our updates on Facebook and Instagram to stay informed about the campaign.
- Stay Informed: We will keep you updated on the scheduling of the parliamentary debate and the subsequent outcomes.
Instagram @bonairedonkeysfreeandsafe
Facebook: BonaireDonkeysFreeAndSafe
Youtube.com/@BonaireDonkeysFreeandSafe
change.org/KeepBonaireDonkeysFreeAndSafe
Nederlandse (Dutch) petitie
Thank you for standing with the free-roaming donkeys of Bonaire.
Laga nos burikunan liber den mondi – Keep Bonaire's donkeys free!
#SaveBonairesFreeRoamingDonkeys #SaveBonairesFreeRoamingDonkeys #SignAndShare
#StopBonairesDonkeyEradication #TheWorldIsWatching #ProtectBonaireHeritage #EverySignatureCounts #BonaireDonkeyStayFreeAndSafe #VoiceForTheVoiceless #BonaireWildDonkeys #AnimalWelfare #AnimalAdvocacy
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Petition created on 5 June 2026