AN 'old and proud herd member' at the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary has died.

Jack the donkey died suddenly on Saturday morning at 9.45am.

A spokesperson for the sanctuary said: "Our staff noticed that Jack was not his usual, lively self at breakfast time, and we quickly called Anthi, our vet."

Jack died after suffering from an attack however, the sanctuary said they could not be sure of the origins.

They described the donkey as 'popular and unique': "He was a beautiful black donkey with a white underbelly, who joined us from the New Forest in 2008. He was already suffering from seedy toe when he joined us, but the strict farrier regime that we had helped him hugely – so much so that he went from seedy toe to speedy toe, because he was often one of the first donkeys from the OAP herd to get to the barns for supper.

"He was characterised by a high pitch, repetitive whinnying sound, when he believed it was meal time – Jack’s voice in later years was more soprano than baritone. Once his food had been waitress-served, Jack had a favourite trick of sticking his hoof onto the edge of the bowl and pulling it towards him – this was one donkey who never left any food behind."

This week the sanctuary have also begun integrating new donkeys, Buttons, Rosie, Amber and China into the herd.

A spokesperson said: "We occasionally forget the impact that news like this has on our staff and volunteers. We never cease to be amazed at their professionalism and commitment. Today, Jack’s death came just 15 minutes before opening time at the sanctuary.

"Tears were wiped away, smiles were put on faces and Saturday’s visitors were treated to the usual warm welcomes, donkey interactions and Shetland treks that they come to expect."

The sanctuary will be writing to Jack's adoptees to inform them of his death and encourage them to continue adopting another donkey.

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