STJ wildlife group starts petition to assist with push for return of feral donkeys

Officials with the St. John Wildlife Rehabilitation are seeking the return of two donkeys from St. John’s feral herd that they said were taken from the island last month by a St. Thomas business owner, and have begun a petition to help in their efforts.

The donkeys — Biscuit and her foal named Kammy — were taken by Joel Browne Connors, owner of Connors Farms Petting Zoo, according to a police report of the incident. Agriculture Commissioner Louis Petersen, who was informed of the incident shortly after it occurred in November, said that the donkeys would be returned, but they have not been to date. St. John Wildlife Rehabilitation co-founders Pamela Holmes and Phyllis Benton told The Daily News that they are concerned about the animals’ wellbeing. At the time Kammy was taken, she had been receiving daily medical care from the wildlife group to treat a skin infection.

The nonprofit, also known as the St. John Wildlife and Donkey Rescue Inc., provides care for sick, injured and orphaned wildlife and since 2019 has been documenting and monitoring the feral free-roaming donkey population, and they provide routine and emergency medical care, including the deworming of the animals.