A group of academics from the Peradeniya University is exploring the possibility of locally producing dairy and skincare products from donkey milk, reports say.
Accordingly, three males, two females and a foal have been brought from Puttalam to the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, senior Professor Ashoka Dangolla has told the media.
Prof. Dangolla further said that there are records of donkey milk being used as skincare products by legendary beauties such as Cleopatra.
Noting that donkey milk is similar to human breast milk, Prof. Dangolla adds that dairy products such as cheese made from this have a high demand globally.
Pule cheese or magareći sir, which is a Serbian cheese made from donkey and goat milk, is said to be the world’s most expensive cheese.
Donkeys were originally used to transport salt in Puttalam – Kalpitiya area.
Environmentalists have long called for a programme to conserve these animals.
