It was not until 1997 that the Cotentin donkey breed (Equus asinus) was recognised by the ‘Haras nationaux’ (French National Stud) and registered as a Normandy breed. It has become one of the eight breeds of donkey recognised in France. But the breed is still threatened with extinction. At the beginning of the 20th century however, there were nearly 4,000 valiant donkeys furrowing the paths of the Manche with their charges of vegetables and milk. The Domaine d’Esthine contributes to the conservation of the breed and to raising awareness for them in the general public.