The Asinara, Italian: Asino dell'Asinara (Italian pronunciation: [ˈaːzino dellaziˈnaːra]), is a breed of feral donkey indigenous to the island of Asinara, which lies off the north-west coast of Sardinia, Italy, in the province of Sassari. [4]

Aug 25, 2013 · The albino donkey is a protected species native to the islands of Sardinia and Asinara. Known as the Asinara donkey, the animals are indigenous to Asinara, a small island off the northwest coast of Sardinia.

Jun 12, 2021 · Not just white donkeys are considered part of the breed but also some grey donkeys fit the bill as well. These grey donkeys are believed to be the heterozygous carriers of the albino gene. Almost all the population is either wholly or partly albinistic.

Dec 15, 2016 · An albinism mutation—creating the pigmentless “albino” effect—probably occurred in a donkey on the island of Asinara, Italy, several centuries ago, said Luca Fontanesi, PhD, of the ...

May 14, 2023 · Over 40 million years ago, Sardinia broke away from Europe’...more. No other body of water on the globe has seen a mixing of climates and ocean currents, eco-systems, peoples, cultures, ideas and...

May 28, 2024 · Interestingly, a species of small albino donkeys are a prevalent sighting and can be seen traversing the valleys of Asinara Island. One of the most stunning islands in the Mediterranean, it's renowned as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a national park that boasts a captivating marine reserve.

Jan 5, 2017 · The study team suspected a mutation in the TYR gene was responsible for the albinism and they were proven correct after analysing data from genetic sequencing of seven Asinara albino donkeys and six coloured donkeys.

Aug 28, 2015 · In the 1970s, Donkey Island became one of the highest security prisons in the country, detaining high profile Mafiosi and members of the notoriously violent Red Brigade. For over 100 years, the only inhabitants of Italy’s Alcatraz were …

A feral donkey population (Equus asinus), living in the Asinara National Park (an island north-west of Sardinia, Italy), includes a unique white albino donkey subpopulation or colour morph that is a major attraction of this park.

What is the cause of the albino donkey? The albinism of the feral Asinara white donkeys (Equus asinus) is determined by a missense mutation in a highly conserved position of the tyrosinase (TYR) gene deduced protein.