Lindsay Marie Morris

It's the quintessentially Sicilian image: A brightly colored wooden cart pulled by a donkey. While the Sicilian cart is largely a thing of the past, the plight of donkeys throughout Europe remains a pressing issue. Once vital to agriculture and transportation, these animals face hardships ranging from overwork in tourism to neglect due to misunderstandings about their needs.

 

Enter Il Rifugio degli Asinelli. With a mission of educating the public, improving donkey welfare, and healing physical and emotional scars, this Italian subsidiary of UK-based The Donkey Sanctuary serves as a lifeline for donkeys from across Europe facing neglect, abuse, and misunderstanding.

 

I recently caught up with Il Rifugio degli Asinelli Communications & FR Officer Ilaria Ruzza, who shared more about this important organization and the threats donkeys face. She additionally shed light on surprising donkey facts and how the public can get involved in caring and advocating for this equine species. 

 

 

What inspired the establishment of Il Rifugio degli Asinelli?

Il Rifugio is the Italian subsidiary of the international animal welfare charity The Donkey Sanctuary, founded in 1969 in the UK by Dr. Elisabeth Svendsen MBE. Our location in Italy puts us in a good position geographically to welcome donkeys from different countries across Europe. Over the years, we have welcomed animals from Greece, Romania, France, Switzerland, and, of course, Italy.

 

What are some of the key threats donkeys face?

While some donkeys suffer from neglect and abuse, poor welfare is often because of misunderstanding and a lack of knowledge about how to care for them. Sometimes, they are considered "small horses," but donkeys are very different in their behavior and physical needs. In places popular with tourists, donkeys are still used to generate income, and this means they can be overworked or kept in poor conditions, as is also the case for animals involved in the milk and breeding industry.

 

Can you share some success stories of donkeys rehabilitated at the refuge?

Ardito was born in 2003 and comes from the Oropa Valley, a few kilometers from Il Rifugio. He lived for over a year, locked in a stable, without ever seeing the light of day because his elderly owner was no longer able to properly care for him. When we went to retrieve him in 2016, he was underweight, with long hooves and covered in parasites, but he already had a wonderful character: the only thing that hasn't changed, so much so that he was renamed the "Gentle Giant." He constantly seeks the attention of humans and loves to be scratched on the withers. Living inside a closed environment and without the necessary air circulation for a prolonged period of time led him to develop a respiratory condition comparable to human asthma. Animals affected by this pathology require greater precautions (stable beds made of dust-free wood chips and not straw, administration of specific high-quality feed). He has created strong bonds of friendship with Lucio and Galileo, his stablemates, but he still has a good balance with all the other animals in the group in which he lives.

 

Ardito was rescued from a state of neglect.

 

In 2013, we rescued 34 animals coming from Italy's biggest-ever equine seizure in Colleferro, near Rome. This included 14 mules and hinnies and 12 pregnant jennies, leading to another 12 foals over the following year. It was February, and we had heavy snow. All our staff worked very hard to enlarge our quarantine area, as we were not used to welcoming so many animals at a time. Before arriving at Il Rifugio, they were completely abandoned. Sadly, many animals were already dead or died during the seizure because of starvation or severe, untreated wounds—with no trust at all towards humans. We've been rebuilding that bond every single day since they arrived, healing both physical and emotional wounds. There's still a long way to go, but when they approach to receive a scratch, we know we're going in the right direction.

 

What are your main challenges in caring for over 100 animals from various countries?

We currently have 106 resident animals (93 donkeys, 12 mules and hinnies, and one pony). They all come from different backgrounds. They can't tell us about what they have been through, so we have to get to know and understand every single animal in his or her behavior and character, besides their specific physical needs (diet, conditions, etc.).

 

How do you ensure well-being and health at the refuge?

Our qualified, experienced and trained staff care for our animals every single day, while our veterinarian is on site three days a week and in case of emergency as well. Our farm schedule includes periodic visits, dental checks, vaccines, hooves trimming and grooming, and weighing on a monthly basis. Individual diets are reviewed each month to ensure welfare and avoid possible conditions stemming from a wrong alimentation. Animals with behavioral problems are followed through specific sessions by trained personnel so that they can be more comfortable during health checks.

 

What might people be surprised to learn about donkeys?

Donkeys are incredibly smart and intelligent animals and, like other equines, have a keen fight-or-flight nervous system response. However, compared with horses, the donkey's fight-defense mechanism is more easily engaged and can be seen in donkeys displaying behavior in the range of standing their ground when faced with a threat. Donkeys may also freeze when faced with a threat, which can be mistaken for them being stubborn when, in fact, they may just be reacting to a novel situation. Their varied behavioral responses demonstrate how donkeys need to be treated differently from horses and not just seen as a smaller, longer-eared version of a horse. They create strong and long-lasting (even lifelong) bonds with other donkeys, usually in a pair but sometimes in groups of three or four. When we move a donkey from one stable to another for a vet visit, we always keep them with their bonded friend(s); otherwise, they can be scared, deeply stressed, or even become aggressive. Bonded friends stay close to each other during any activity: grazing, eating, running, scratching, etc.

 

What kind of training and education programs do you offer?

On occasion, we offer public courses, both online and on-site, facilitated by our Training and Educational department, completely free of charge, focusing on the basic information and knowledge for donkeys' welfare. We also offer courses on a wide range of subjects through The Donkey Academy, which is a collaborative online learning platform and knowledge exchange developed and run by our own experts at The Donkey Sanctuary. The self-paced courses are designed to teach new skills or enhance existing ones. They cover basic welfare and wellbeing, behavior and nutrition for donkey owners and guardians, right through to specialist courses that include donkey behavior for veterinary professionals, clinical examination, and dental and farriery care.

The Donkey Academy is also free of charge and offers courses in English and Spanish, both to professionals (e.g., veterinarians, dental technicians, vet nurses, paraveterinarians, and farriers) and to laypeople (i.e., donkey owners, guardians, people interested in donkey care and welfare). The virtual learning environment also hosts training pathways for The Donkey Sanctuary employees, designed to ensure that all of our donkeys will benefit from a consistent and predictable approach to their care. The Donkey Sanctuary is also involved in collaboration with different Universities, Colleges, and professional associations in several countries, offering tailored education programs to students and professionals.

Recently, two courses in Italian have been launched: one is dedicated to our Il Rifugio employees, while the other is open to the public, offering owners, perspective owners, guardians, and other interested people all the information needed to properly care for donkeys and enhance their welfare and well-being.

 

What key activities and facilities are available at the refuge?

Upon appointment, we welcome groups, both children and adults, for guided tours, which last approximately a couple of hours: we explain our mission, the needs of a healthy donkey, and what he looks like so that people may be able to recognize a donkey in distress and report it to authorities if they ever see one. Three different groups of vulnerable and disabled people come once a week to benefit from our free DAA (Donkey Assisted Activities) program. They spend some time in our paddocks with our animals (who are never tied and always free to move around), shadowed by our qualified staff. We have an Info Point where visitors can ask questions, make a donation, and adopt a donkey.

 

Can you explain the process of adopting or fostering a donkey or mule?

Distance adoption is a symbolic way to help all donkeys. With a yearly donation of 36,00 EUR, you will contribute to the well-being of all animals living at Il Rifugio. Our program includes seven donkeys (Alin, Ardito, Agostino, Clementina, Filippo, Galileo, and Ombra) and one mule (Marco). Adopters will receive a special certificate with a picture of the adopted donkey, a welcome letter, and the donkey's ID with all their information. We then send three newsletters a year (Spring, Summer, and Christmas) where we provide updates on the adoption scheme animals, which can be seen during our open days to the public.

 

We currently have 43 donkeys living in Guardian Homes. People interested in joining our Guardian Scheme are invited to read the terms and conditions first. Donkeys are very sociable creatures who make fantastic companion animals. However, they do require a great deal of time, space, resources, and, of course, attention. Our Guardian donkeys are selected carefully so we can maximize the chances of our donkeys and their foster owners. Guardians have a happy and long-lasting life together. They are always fostered in pairs, given how important it is for them to have a bonded companion. Our Welfare Department commits to a visit once a year to check everything is running smoothly and that all welfare standards are respected.

 

What do you hope people take away from your work?

To better understand and deeply respect this animal, who enormously contributed for centuries to human needs and activities while being so often neglected and mistreated. We want a world where every donkey has a good quality of life, a path that starts with education, knowledge, advocacy, and sensibility. We're trying to achieve it each day, to build awareness, to let people see and experience how wonderful donkeys are in every respect.

 

 

 

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Prized for its bulbs, leaves, and even seeds, fennel is the ultimate zero-waste food. It's also rich in fiber, potassium, vitamin C, and manganese. 

 

To explore the origins and uses of fennel, I reached out to "I Love Fruit & Veg from Europe," a global initiative that promotes the mindful consumption of high-quality European fruits and vegetables both within Italy and abroad. Their purview includes organic produce and products with PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) and PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) certifications, advocating for healthier, safer, and more sustainable diets. The initiative is supported by Italian producer organizations such as Agritalia, A.O.A., La Deliziosa, Meridia, and Terra Orti and is co-funded by the European Commission.

"I Love Fruit & Veg from Europe" Campaign Manager and Coordinator Manuela Barzan shared more about this flavorful vegetable.

 

 

Where does fennel come from originally?

Common fennel (F. vulgare) or finochietto is native to Southern Europe and countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea but has become naturalized worldwide. To the ancient Greeks, fennel was a symbol of victory, known as "marathon," lending its name to the Battle of Marathon (490 BC), where legend has it the battle unfolded in a fennel field. The Romans, too, embraced fennel as a symbol of achievement, fashioning its leaves into wreaths to crown champions in their games.

 

Florence fennel, or finocchio (Foeniculum vulgare var. azoricum), is a cultivated variety from the same family as wild fennel. Developed in 17th-century Italy, it resembles wild fennel at the top with similar stalks, fronds, and flowers, but at the base, it forms a white, layered structure often called a "crown." Although commonly referred to as a bulb, it's not a true bulb—its layers are crisp and carry a mild anise flavor.

 

Where and how is fennel typically grown?

India is the largest producer of fennel, which is grown for its seeds and is widely used in cooking and traditional medicine. Spanish missionaries brought fennel to North America, cultivating it in their medicinal gardens. In California, it is now commonly referred to as wild anise and grows abundantly along roadsides and in pastures across the U.S., where it is often regarded as a weed.

Bulb fennel (finocchio) is grown globally but thrives in warm, moist environments. Various cultivars can be harvested at different times based on their growing location, with the general harvest season in Italy spanning from spring to fall.

In the U.S., fennel is considered a cool-weather crop and is typically available from fall through early spring, although grocery stores stock it year-round. However, since fennel is a relatively minor crop in the U.S., any out-of-season supply not sourced from California or Arizona usually comes from a greater distance.

 

What parts of the fennel plant are used and how?

Every part can be used in some way! Bulb fennel is grown for its seeds, essential oil, fronds (leaves), and swollen leaf base, which is consumed as a vegetable. While the stalks can be tough and somewhat stringy, they are often used to flavor stocks. The fronds can serve as a garnish or be incorporated into marinades and sauces.

Common fennel is primarily cultivated for its seeds, which possess a more aromatic quality than those of cultivated fennel and have a robust flavor reminiscent of licorice.

 

What are the nutritional benefits of fennel?

Fennel is a nutrient-dense, low-calorie food that offers several health benefits, including:

• Rich in antioxidants: Fennel is abundant in various antioxidant compounds that help shield cells from damage caused by free radicals, potentially lowering the risk of chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease.
• Colic relief: Colic, a frequent issue for newborns, can be effectively alleviated with fennel, whether used alone or combined with other herbs. Fennel seeds are commonly included in gripe water, a well-known remedy for this condition.
• Menstrual pain relief: Research indicates that fennel might lower the production of oxytocin and prostaglandin, hormones linked to painful periods.
• Enhanced digestion: Traditionally, fennel is consumed after meals in many cultures to support digestion and minimize gas. Studies suggest that fennel may help by reducing inflammation in the intestines and decreasing the levels of gas-producing bacteria. Additionally, fennel oil has been found to alleviate symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.

 

What are some favorite Sicilian recipes that feature fennel?

• Sicilian sausage: Known as salsiccia, these sausages are made from coarsely chopped pork mixed with fennel seeds. They are typically sold in coils on skewers, weighed by the pound.
• Pasta con le Sarde: This dish is a staple in Sicilian cuisine. According to legend, when Euphemius of Messina returned from exile in Tunisia to lead a military campaign in 827, his Arab cooks created this recipe using the first ingredients they found upon landing at Mazara's harbor. The combination included wild fennel, raisins, pine nuts, and the freshest sardines available.
• Pork and fennel ragù: For this dish, start by removing the casing from Sicilian sausages, squeezing out the pork, and cutting it into pieces. Sauté shallots in a bit of wine, then add the sausage and combine it with tomato sauce and a teaspoon of fennel seeds. For a twist, you can substitute the tomato sauce with fresh ricotta. This ragù pairs beautifully with casarecce, a short, twisted pasta native to Sicily.
  
  

How do you recommend preparing fennel to bring out its best flavors?

Fennel bulbs can be prepared in various ways, including steaming, grilling, roasting, or braising. They are often served with olive oil or butter. They offer a sweet, subtly anise-like flavor that pairs especially well with fish.

To enhance the flavor of Florence fennel when using it raw in salads, slice the bulb and let it soak in ice water for an hour in the refrigerator.

Antonio Carluccio said in Complete Italian Food, "Fennel has such a sweet taste and pleasant aroma that it was often served at the end of a meal as a dessert in Italy. It is delicious in every form, raw or cooked, and indispensable in pinzimonio [tender spring vegetables served sliced and raw to dip in newly pressed olive oil with a little salt and pepper]." 

 

Can you share any tips for selecting the best fennel?

When selecting fennel bulbs, look for those that are white or pale green, firm, and heavy. Steer clear of any that appear yellowing, dry, or starting to shrivel. The fronds should be vibrant and crisp, not wilted.

As fennel ages, it becomes drier and tougher, with a more intense anise flavor. However, removing the outer layers will make the inner part less tough.

 

How do you store fennel?

Sturdy fennel bulbs and stalks can be stored in the refrigerator for an extended period. However, the fronds may lose their crispness, so it's advisable to detach them, wrap them in a paper towel or newspaper, and place them in a container in the fridge. Keeping the fronds dry can help extend their freshness.

 

What other ingredients complement fennel in recipes?

Fennel pairs especially well with fish.

The chopped young leaves can enhance the flavor of salads and various dishes, and they are commonly enjoyed alongside oranges.

 

Why should people try fennel?

Fennel is a highly versatile vegetable that can be enjoyed raw or cooked. It is easy to incorporate into various dishes without generating waste. It is rich in fiber, low in calories, and boasts numerous health benefits. 

Here are some common ways to include fennel in your meals:

• Sip fennel tea, a soothing herbal infusion made by steeping fennel seeds in hot water. This traditional remedy is often utilized to promote digestion and reduce bloating and gas. You can find it in tea bags or make it by steeping whole fennel seeds.
• Incorporate fennel into salads for an extra crunch.
• Substitute fennel stalks for celery in soups or stews.
• Wrap fennel with other root vegetables in foil and roast in the oven until tender.
• Use the bulb, stalks, and fronds as a flavorful base when roasting chicken or pork.
• For a tasty side dish, roast fennel wedges seasoned with salt, pepper, and butter.

 

 

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