Donkeys are one of Mijas’s most iconic symbols, and the Town Hall is working to preserve them. This was announced by the mayoress, Ana Mata (PP), during a press conference where she announced that the Mijas Town Hall is planning a large recreational park, for which a feasibility study has already been carried out.
The idea is to create a recreational park on the southern road, where the stables are currently located. There, in addition to learning more about this emblem of Mijas, the animals will benefit from more spacious stables and recreation areas. All this will be located on a plot of more than 10,000 square metres that will be completely integrated into the landscape. The aim is to encourage interaction with the donkeys in semi-freedom, allowing them to roam freely while providing a space for visitors to enjoy and learn, all while improving the animals’ quality of life.
The objectives of this initiative, known as Refugio del Burrito (Donkey Sanctuary), are to raise global awareness of animal rights and welfare, create an observatory for donkeys living in semi-freedom along the Camino de las Canteras, enable donkey rides along shaded, tree-lined trails, involve Andalusian donkeys in forest management and preserve the species. Donkeys will also be able to “retire” in the park, and adult donkeys will be taken in for recovery and subsequent relocation. In addition, there will be an Interpretation Centre dedicated to the Mijas donkey.
- Recreación de cómo quedará el Refugio del Burrito.
Collaboration
Ana Mata highlighted the months of work and meetings held with both the mule drivers and the associations, while emphasising that this project "will mark a turning point".
She also announced plans to collaborate with the College of Veterinarians: "We are working in the right direction to create a space that respects and celebrates the figure of the donkey in a positive way, avoiding disparaging towards those who care about donkeys. Our aim is to ensure the preservation of these animals that are in danger of extinction and to make Mijas a municipality that supports their reproduction and, therefore, the preservation of the species. To this end, we will create this park, and the drafting of the project is included in the upcoming budget amendment”, the mayoress explained.
- La alcaldesa ha destacado la importancia del diálogo entre todos los actores implicados.
- | J. Perea
Alongside the mayoress, the event was also attended by representatives of the mule drivers and Amaya Isert, president of the Donkey Dreamland shelter, an organisation that has been working with the Town Hall for over a year to promote the park, and that acknowledged the government team's commitment to promoting and advancing the project: "This government team is the first to truly listen to associations like mine when we have proposed ideas to improve the welfare of animals. We firmly believe that donkeys should not disappear. They are an endangered species and we believe that this place, Mijas, can serve as an example to other municipalities in terms of conservation of this species. We want to move towards more sustainable and responsible tourism and dignify donkeys, which is why the project includes a breeding park", said Isert.
- Los burros taxi son un gran símbolo de Mijas conocido mundialmente.
- | J. Perea
For his part, the representative of the mule drivers, Antonio Jiménez, defended the work and dignity of their profession and expressed concern that they often feel targeted “when summer arrives”.
According to the government team, “all parties have stressed the importance of dialogue in reaching a consensus, which is the first, and very significant, step towards making this project, still in its early stages, a reality".
Animal welfare measures
The Executive stresses that this is not the only initiative it has undertaken to ensure animal welfare. In this regard, it highlights the creation of an Animal Welfare Department to oversee compliance with animal rights. With regard to the donkeys, shaded areas have been expanded, the number of drinking troughs increased, a rest area established, and the length of the ropes used to tether them extended.
It should also be noted that last year a public decree was issued, and updated in 2025, establishing service restrictions in the event of heat alerts, a measure the mayoress has described as "unprecedented" in the province of Malaga.
- Los burros pasan controles veterinarios para controlar su estado de salud.
- | J. Perea
Regarding information transparency, the municipal website (www.mijas.es) publishes the licences and annual veterinary checks that the animals must undergo. Additionally, the department monitors the number of daily walks these animals take. Until now, this information was not publicly available. Over the next four years, the number of licences granted will be reduced by 10%.
- Identificación de uno de los burros taxi.
- | J. Perea
Mata stated that "this local executive is committed to ensuring animal welfare and strictly complying with all relevant regulations, guaranteeing fairness between legislation and local customs. We therefore call on the public not to be swayed by malicious messages and inaccurate information. This government team is a firm advocate of dialogue and teamwork, as demonstrated by today's meeting, in which the City Council, mule drivers and the leading association in the defence of donkeys worked together to develop a proposal that benefits everyone. I call for calm, common sense and awareness on the part of those who are spreading misinformation." (More information to follow).
Mata stated that “this local executive is committed to ensuring animal welfare and strictly complying with all relevant regulations, guaranteeing fairness between legislation and local customs. We therefore urge the public not to be influenced by malicious messages and inaccurate information. This government team firmly supports dialogue and collaboration, as shown in today’s meeting, where the Town Hall, mule drivers, and the leading donkey advocacy association worked together to develop a proposal benefiting everyone. I call for calm, common sense, and awareness from those spreading misinformation”.
- Un arriero con uno de los burros taxi.
- | J. Perea
The donkey taxi, icon of Mijas
The donkey is a symbol that has made Mijas famous worldwide. Its appeal as a tourist attraction is undeniable, and it has even drawn the attention of many film directors. The village’s whitewashed streets, along with its sea and mountain landscapes, have always provided the perfect backdrop for these charming animals. The history of Mijas is closely intertwined with these beloved creatures.
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