There is a world somewhere between reality and fiction. Although ignored by many, it is very real and so are those living in it. This forum is about the natural world. Here, wild animals will be heard and respected. The forum offers a glimpse into an unknown world as well as a room with a view on the present and the future. Anyone able to speak on behalf of those living in the emerald forest and the deep blue sea is invited to join.
Alfred T. Jackson, on Februrary 2, 1851, at Nevada City saw a big poster which said there was going to be "a grand fight between a ferocious grizzly bear and the champion fighting jackass of the State." The bear proved to be a black, which, on approaching its opponent, received "a couple of thundering kicks in the ribs." Whereupon the jackass returned to eating grass, and the bear went over the fence in two jumps and fled to the chaparral, scattering the crowd. ( Canfield, 1906 ).
So great was the degradation of the fights that even tiny burros were pitted against bears: If the bear was a real grizzly, he always won, so far as I know,but the burro would worry him desperately for a long time. ( Bell, 1930 ).
*( in my own words )... about donkeys; they are tough little horse-relatives. Some people have learned to add a few donkeys in with other livestock as protection from predators. I read about a couple who bought a "llama farm" and, not understanding the need for donkeys among their llamas, they sold them. Next thing they knew, coyotes were killing the llamas. So, they purchased more donkeys. I'm not sure if the donkeys fight off such predators as coyotes or if it is their extremely loud "hee-haw" that scares predators away.