Many of the mammals on Bonaire were introduced by the Spaniards. When they discovered the island in 1499, bats were the only mammals present. This didn’t last long, as Spanish ships typically carried more rats and mice than humans. Thus, these rodents became the first new inhabitants of Bonaire.
From 1527, the Spaniards used Bonaire for livestock. Sheep, donkeys, goats, pigs, cows, horses, chickens, and turkeys were shipped to Bonaire. The animals were mostly left to roam wild with little care. The Spaniards have long departed, but many of the animals they brought to the island still thrive. In this blog, you’ll learn all about the wild (or feral) mammals of Bonaire. If you’re eager to spot these animals truly in the wild, consider booking one of our tours!
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The Wild Donkeys of Bonaire
The most well-known “wild” mammal of Bonaire is the donkey (buriku in Papiamentu). Wild is in quotation marks because they are actually feral donkeys. When these animals were introduced to Bonaire, they were domesticated. Bonairian donkeys were sold as pack animals to sugar plantations in surrounding countries. Being natural desert dwellers, they are better adapted to the heat than, for example, horses. This is also why donkeys have been able to survive in the wild on Bonaire for five centuries. Even during the time of the Spaniards, the donkeys were not cared for.
The donkeys of Bonaire have Nubian roots, as evidenced by the typical black cross on their coat, running on their back and over the shoulder blades. This cross is absent in dark-colored donkeys, indicating the presence of genes from the typical dark-colored Spanish donkeys in the population.
The donkeys of Bonaire contribute to the landscape’s degradation. They consume seedlings and scrape the ground bare with their hooves. They leave cacti and other thorny plants untouched, allowing them to dominate the landscape. STINAPA, the nature organization of Bonaire, is working on reforestation projects to restore the old, tree-rich landscape.
The Wild Goats of Bonaire
You’ll also encounter wild goats (kabritu in Papiamentu) everywhere on the island, and with their grazing, they have a significant impact on the landscape. Additionally, many goats are kept behind fences in the kunuku, the countryside of Bonaire. The fact that goats regularly escape doesn’t bother the owners. The animals always find their way back home, and outside the fence, they find a free meal. Goats are primarily kept for meat. Goat stew (stoba kabritu in Papiamentu) is a very popular meal among Bonairians. There is even imported goat meat from South America to meet the demand.
However, the goats were introduced to Bonaire by the Spaniards not for their meat but for their hides. Also, goat’s milk was more popular than cow’s milk at that time. The goats roamed freely on the island. The Caiquetios, the original inhabitants of Bonaire, were forced by their Spanish rulers to capture the goats and tan the hides. This was done using the pods of the Divi-Divi tree, which were also collected by the Caiquetios. Goat leather was used to make shoes, and the meat was often discarded. This changed in 1636 when the Spaniards were expelled from the island by the Dutch West India Company (WIC). The WIC used goat meat to feed their troops on Curaçao.
While the Spaniards introduced kabrite goats to Bonaire, over the centuries, various other breeds were added. Each breed had different advantages. For example, the breed orea di raton (mouse ears) emerged, characterized by small ears. Kabritu ku kuenta (goat with beads) is also intriguing, referring to the wattles under the chin of this goat. This breed was mainly kept on Klein Bonaire. There were also kabritu di kachu (goats with horns) and kabritu sin kachu (without horns). The different goats were interbred, leading to the diverse appearances of Bonaire’s goats today.
The Wild Sheep of Bonaire
In some places on Bonaire, you can also encounter wild sheep (karné in Papiamentu). Nowadays, sheep are quite rare, but in Spanish times, there were more sheep than goats on Bonaire! Sheep leather is smoother than goat leather, and for this reason, the ‘tambu,’ a traditional drum, is still covered with sheepskin. Under the WIC, goats became more numerous.
The wild sheep are beautiful to behold, descending from the Barbados Black Belly breed. They have a reddish coat with a black belly. The head is white with black details. Adapted to Bonaire’s warm climate, they are not as woolly as regular sheep. If you want to try spotting wild sheep, we encounter them regularly during our Gems of the East tour!
The Wild Pigs of Bonaire
One of the most unique wild mammals of Bonaire is the wild pig (porko in Papiamentu). You wouldn’t expect to find them in this semi-desert, but they roam freely in the wild. Don’t expect a chubby, pink animal with a curly tail. Bonaire’s pigs are descendants of the Mediterranean house pig from the sixteenth century and were introduced by the Spaniards. The pig has a coarse black to yellow coat and a tail with a tuft at the end. These animals can withstand diseases and parasites exceptionally well. They are incredibly robust and have successfully survived independently on the island for five centuries.
The pigs primarily inhabit the northern part of the island but can also be found in the eastern kunuku. During the day, they usually hide in the vegetation, but in the evenings, they come out. In the streets of Rincon, the pigs often roam, especially during the dry season. They are known for not being deterred by fences and regularly cause damage to crops. In 2017, a pig hotline was even established for people to call if they spot a pig in the village!
The Wild Cats of Bonaire
In some landscapes of Bonaire, a family of lions wouldn’t be out of place, but when we mention wild cats (pushi in Papiamentu), we’re referring to feral domestic cats. These wild cats live entirely independently of humans, often deep in nature, and are quite shy. We encounter them regularly during our tours in Washington-Slagbaai National Park, many kilometers away from inhabited areas.
These cats feed on birds, lizards, and mice that they catch. During the rainy season, they drink from the puddles and pools that form, and in the dry season, they know how to find wells and freshwater sources.
There are also feral dogs on Bonaire. Unlike the cats, you’ll only find these in inhabited areas, and moreover, the dogs are not afraid of humans.
The Mice and Rats of Bonaire
Where there are people, there are mice (raton in Papiamentu) and rats (djaka). This holds true for the ships of the Spanish fleet that encountered Bonaire in 1499, introducing these rodents to the island. Alongside bats, mice, and rats are the only truly wild mammals on Bonaire. During the day, they hide in their burrows, emerging at dusk to search for food. In turn, mice and rats are essential food sources for the barn owl and kestrel, both present on Bonaire. Are you curious about other big birds of Bonaire? Please explore our blog on the Bird Big Five.
The Bats of Bonaire
Bats (raton di anochi in Papiamentu) are the only wild mammals native to Bonaire. There are eight different bat species on the island. During the day, they rest in caves and abandoned buildings, but after sunset, they come out to forage. Bats are primarily known as insectivores, but there are also species on Bonaire that feed on nectar and fruit.
The insect-eating bats contribute to making life bearable on Bonaire. One bat can consume up to a thousand mosquitoes per night! If you’re having a drink on the porch in the evening, you’ll surely see them flutter by. Then you’ll know there are a few less mosquitoes targeting you.
Less known are the bats that drink nectar. These bats pollinate Bonaire’s columnar cacti, causing them to bloom at night. Thanks to the work of these bats, birds and lizards can enjoy cactus fruit throughout the year. There are also bats that eat fruit, playing a crucial role in spreading the seeds of columnar cacti and fruit trees. By consuming the fruit along with the seeds, they excrete the seeds elsewhere, allowing new trees or cacti to grow.
About us: A Tour With HopiBonaire
Spotting a wild donkey by the side of the road is undoubtedly enjoyable, but these animals truly come into their own in the breathtaking landscapes of Bonaire. During our tours, we venture off the beaten path to explore the tranquility of Bonaire’s pristine nature, discovering the hidden gems of the island. HopiBonaire’s tours are intimate experiences. You’re alone with your group, and you set the pace. We don’t rush; you can take your time!
We tailor our tours to your preferences. Moreover, you can also book fully customized tours, for example, to seek out the wild animals of Bonaire. If you’re excited and ready for an adventure, explore our tours now!
Read More?
Are you interested in more nature from Bonaire? We’ve written extensively about it! Our blogs are compiled on our page dedicated to nature in Bonaire. You can read about the: – Birds of Bonaire – Sea Turtles of Bonaire – Butterflies of Bonaire – Mangrove of Bonaire Our photoblogs also cover topics from the island’s rich natural environment, such as iguanas and hummingbirds. On our organized blog page you’ll find many other articles about Bonaire, including our popular blogs about the Scenic Drive to the North and the Scenic Drive to the Salt Pans. |