St. John’s wild donkeys descend from work animals Danish settlers brought to the island’s plantations in the 1700s. Today they roam free in small groups of three to five, most often around Coral Bay and the East End. They’re calm around people and easy to photograph, and the National Park Service classifies them as a nonnative species it works to control.
Where Did St. John’s Donkeys Come From?
Danish settlers founded St. John’s first plantation at Estate Carolina in Coral Bay in 1718. By 1733 the island had 109 plantations growing sugar, cotton, and food crops, worked by more than 1,000 enslaved Africans. On an island this steep, donkeys hauled crops, firewood, and goods between the estates and the shore.
When slavery ended in the Danish West Indies, many plantation donkeys were set loose. Families kept others for transport until cars took over, and those were released too. The donkeys on St. John today descend from those animals.
Where Can You See the Donkeys on St. John?
Coral Bay, the East End, and the South Shore are the most common places to see them, usually in groups of three to five. They also turn up along the road between Cruz Bay and Coral Bay, and now and then on a North Shore beach. They move around constantly, so there’s no set spot or time.
Drive slowly and watch for donkeys crossing the road.
Are the Donkeys Native to St. John?
No. The National Park Service lists donkeys with deer, goats, sheep, cows, cats, dogs, mongoose, rats, and pigs as nonnative species on St. John. Per the Park Service, goats, deer and donkeys eat native vegetation and spread the seeds of invasive plants, and the park works to control nonnative species to protect the landscape.
There’s no official count. Published estimates run from about 60 (St. John Ultimate Villas, 2020) to “hundreds” (VI Eco Tours).
How Should You Act Around the Donkeys?
- Don’t feed them. Human food is bad for their health and teaches them to seek out people, which becomes a problem for restaurants and other businesses.
- Keep your distance. They’re calm around people, but they’re wild animals and can bite or kick when spooked.
- Take photos from a respectful distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are St. John’s donkeys dangerous?
Not usually. They’re calm around people, but they’re wild animals and can bite or kick if spooked. Keep your distance, especially with young children.
Can you feed the donkeys on St. John?
No. Human food is bad for their health and teaches them to seek out people for food, which causes problems for restaurants and other businesses.
Where’s the best place to see donkeys on St. John?
Coral Bay, the East End, and the South Shore, usually in groups of three to five. They also turn up along the road between Cruz Bay and Coral Bay, and now and then on a North Shore beach.