Sunday Times

GET YOUR BIG BUTT OFF THAT ASS

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Greece has imposed a ban on plus-sized tourists riding donkeys on Santorini, as the government buckled under pressure from animal-welfare organisati­ons. Donkey riding is a long-held tradition in many parts of Greece, including Santorini. The island is a daily stop-off spot for cruise ships, that — according to the Mail Online — disgorge about 40,000 tourists a week to the harbour. These tourists then face a 300m climb up a wide, cobble-stoned staircase to reach the town of Fira.

Even though there is a cable car, and, of course, the option of walking, many tourists choose to go “the traditiona­l route”, with a donkey ride.

But animal-rights groups have recently raised concerns about the donkeys’ welfare, citing harsh working conditions, with long hours in the heat, and extra strain added by their having to lug, er, heftier loads.

The Ministry of Rural Developmen­t and Food has responded by publishing guidelines for the proper treatment of the animals, which include the ruling that “the load cannot exceed 100kg, or one-fifth of their body weight.”

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