Paco was the littlest donkey who has ever been admitted to The Donkey Sanctuary of Canada. He was born in 1998 and had a deformed jaw which in turn affected the location of his right eye and ear. Due to this condition, Paco was unable to nurse. He had to be bottle-fed by his caretaker and, as a result, he bonded with her to the point that he began to relate with humans as being his natural herd. As a result, he had no interest in the other donkeys on the farm.
When Paco’s caretaker could not longer care for him, she requested that he be admitted to the Sanctuary. He was 3 months old at the time. After his arrival, Paco was given a high protein foal mixture, softened with reconstituted mare’s milk to help his little body develop strength. After seeking the advice of experts in donkey behaviour, a separate grazing area was created and Paco was placed there in the company of another young donkey from whom he could learn.
Paco lived with Chiclet, his constant companion, and with the older donkeys at the DSC. He was able to eat, albeit slowly, a diet specially prepared for him. Paco was a unique donkey, and his presence in the barnyard will be greatly missed.