The small Catalan town of Collioure (Cotlliure) has a little known secret for those patient enough to wait - wild donkeys.
The small population of feral donkeys has been roaming the hills around Collioure for nearly four centuries now, having in all likelihood escaped from the conquering French army in 1642. Other historians state that they might be from one of the ancient monasteries in the hills surrounding the town.
The small population, probably numbering no more than 30 now, has proved to be remarkably adaptable in the face of many adversities thrown its way over the years. In the late 18th century, the last attempt by the Spanish to take control of the town reduced the population, according to the local town hall documents, to perhaps as few as 10 individuals. Many of the donkeys were conscripted into the Spanish army, allowing a cavalry unit to form the first "panzer" group of mounted troops. However, due to the quixotic nature of the animals, the small unit did not survive the hostilities, and ultimately the Spanish siege failed.
The remaining donkeys have continued to adapt to their environment, particularly the changing temperature - very hot during the day, and colder at night. The donkeys are semi-nocturnal, and as a result they have evolved a reflective tapetum, similar to cats, in their eyes. Their fur is also slightly thicker than other donkey species, as they can be found at altitude where temperatures are cooler, particularly at night. It was probably this adaptation that saved the population from extinction in 1870, when a freak snowstorm covered the town and its surroundings.
Nowadays, the small population of hardy survivors is treated with respect and caution. They occasionally roam in to town, to eat the flowers from unsuspecting locals' gardens, but most of the time they graze in peace in the hills surrounding this very pretty part of the world.
