The Ragusano is a breed of donkey from the Mediterranean island of Sicily.[2] It is associated particularly with the comuni of Modica, Ragusa, Santa Croce Camerina and Scicli, all in the Province of Ragusa in southern Sicily.[3] It is one of the eight autochthonous donkey breeds of limited distribution recognised by the Ministero delle Politiche Agricole Alimentari e Forestali, the Italian ministry of agriculture and forestry.[4] The Ragusano was listed as "endangered" by the FAO in 2007.[1]

Ragusano
A large dark-coloured Ragusano behind a much smaller Asinara Donkey at Fieracavalli in Verona
Conservation statusFAO: endangered[1]
Country of originItaly
DistributionProvince of Ragusa
Use
  • transport
  • agricultural work
  • siring mules
  • milk
Traits
Height
  • Male:
    138 cm
  • Female:
    130 cm
Classification
MIPAAFBreed standard

Uses

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The milk of the Ragusano donkey has demonstrated remarkable antiviral properties and some scientists believe it could be useful in preventing viral human gastrointestinal infections.[5]

References

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  1. ^ a b Barbara Rischkowsky, D. Pilling (eds.) (2007). List of breeds documented in the Global Databank for Animal Genetic Resources, annex to The State of the World's Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. ISBN 9789251057629. Accessed May 2014.
  2. ^ Breed data sheet: Ragusano/Italy. Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Accessed September 2013.
  3. ^ Daniele Bigi, Alessio Zanon (2008). Atlante delle razze autoctone: Bovini, equini, ovicaprini, suini allevati in Italia (in Italian). Milan: Edagricole. ISBN 9788850652594. p. 168–69
  4. ^ Norme tecniche: Allegato 2 a D.M. 9742 del 7 maggio 2012 (in Italian). Ministero delle Politiche Agricole Alimentari e Forestali. p. 22. Accessed September 2013.
  5. ^ Brumini, Diana; Furlund, Camilla Bø; Comi, Irene; Devold, Tove Gulbrandsen; Marletta, Donata; Vegarud, Gerd E.; Jonassen, Christine Monceyron (1 February 2013). "Antiviral activity of donkey milk protein fractions on echovirus type 5". International Dairy Journal. 28 (2): 109–111. doi:10.1016/j.idairyj.2012.08.010. ISSN 0958-6946.