Single gray donkey, looking for companion: ‘Charlie needs a bestie’ trying to raise funds

CAPTAIN COOK— “Single gray donkey, looking for long-term partner.”

If donkeys wrote into the personal section, that could be Charlie’s message to the world.

“Charlie is sweet, gentle and docile, but he’s also lonely,” wrote Carolyn Lucas-Zenk, the volunteer coordinator and development associate for the Kona Historical Society. “His only companions are the chickens and other birds that visit during meal times. Donkeys are herd animals.”

Herd, as in part of a pack, a team, which is why KHS is looking to adopt or rescue a friend for Charlie. But besides a mate, KHS is looking to spruce up the grounds around which the two could soon gallivant. The group turned to crowdfunding to raise at least $15,500 for improving the pasture and bringing in a friend.

His pasture, along the trail into the Kona Coffee Living History Farm in Captain Cook, gives everyone a chance to greet the animal, which is why he’s become quasi-famous around the island as the docile face to the historical spot.

“Hello donkey-donkey,” people call out as they come down to the wire fence and chat with him.

Like the Ashley family of Austin, Texas, and the Dye family of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Both families were drawn to Charlie, meeting him and museum manager Gavin Miculka on Tuesday.

It took a little effort and a farm-grown carrot to convince the donkey to leave his feeding trough and come over to the fence, where he was soon greeted by the family.

“We just finished giving him carrots, so he’s sniffing for carrots,” Miculka explained.

“I think it’s so cute,” Laura Ashley said.

Charlie, who’s roughly 30 years old, was born in the wild before being trained for farm work. Donkeys can live to 40. Regardless of age, he’s popular. Miculka estimated about 10,000 people see him annually.

“People absolutely light up,” Lucas-Zenk said.

He’s a learning tool, too.Guides are able to tell new groups of students about time spent visiting with him, and he also provides a link to America’s agricultural past, since many visitors have never been on a farm. In the past Miculka would load Charlie up with coffee wood or coffee bags full of straw to demonstrate to visitors, but that has become less common.

But friends, it turns out, don’t come cheaply, which is why KHS is turning to the community for help.

A new donkey would need about six months of training, the group said, which will cost roughly $4,000. That will ensure the new animal is able to meet with people and be comfortable with Charlie as a pen mate.

Before they even select a new best friend the group will improve the pasture, which is partially overgrown. They estimated $7,000 in work will allow them to clear out invasive plants, upgrade the fencing, and replace several structures. Another goal is replacing the hitching post. And as a living history farms, they want to show people the parts of life needed in times past, Miculka said, and that includes the care of the donkey.

Finally, they need about $1,520 a year per donkey in feed, supplies and medical care.

Charlie has laminitis, a disease that inflames the tissues holding the hoof to the bone. They treat it with physical care, anti-inflammatories and pain medication, Miculka said. The group estimates that care for the condition costs about $140 a year.

The improved pasture will allow the donkeys to graze.

But that won’t stop the food.

Right now, Charlie receives ti leaves in the afternoon for a treat, along with a flow of apples, carrots and other treats from volunteers. Miculka said he sometimes has to stop people from giving the animal too many treats, as Charlie could balloon up.

The donkey is a big fan of papayas, although they have to make sure he doesn’t eat too many. Charlie will eat himself into mouth blisters if not limited, Miculka said.

The farm focuses on the era from 1920 to 1945, when the Kona Nightingales were hauling almost everything over the poor roads of the era.

Online: https://www.razoo.com/us/story/Charlie-Needs-A-Bestie.