Greek authorities have protected Santorini's donkeys from overly heavy tourists
Also, from now on, the animals must have daily access to fresh food and clean water. Officials made this decision after complaints from local activists, who claim that overweight tourists cause serious injuries to the donkeys.
An active campaign for the rights of Santorini's donkeys began this summer. They have been an integral part of the island for centuries, as they are the only means of transport available for navigating its narrow and steep streets.
During the peak tourist season, the donkeys work tirelessly. In recent years, the flow of tourists from the USA, Russia, and Great Britain—whose citizens are known for being overweight—has grown significantly. Footage of exhausted animals carrying lazy travelers up and down the steps, their backs rubbed raw and suffering spinal injuries, went viral in July.
Activists from the organization The Donkey Sanctuary managed to draw the attention of the Greek public to the problem and achieve a political solution.