Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Donkey Retires From Ballet

Monika ends successful run with Russia's Mariinsky ballet

By Nick McMaster, Newser Staff

Posted Mar 24, 2008 5:54 PM CDT

(Newser) – A veteran Russian artiste is headed for retirement today: Monika, a 21-year-old female donkey. She has performed for 19 years as the trusty steed of Sancho Panza in the Mariinsky ballet's production of Don Quixote. "She loves to perform and she loves applause,"... Read full story »

COMMENTS

Read the comment policy

You need to Log in to Newser to comment. Don't have an account yet? Sign up now!

There are no comments

A snapshot of the day's best news stories.

View Larger Grid

All Today Yesterday Pick a Date

What's Popular Now on Facebook

Cops Shoot Naked Guy Eating Man's Face on Highway

Japanese Artist Serves Up Own Cooked Genitals

Reuters (Source Grid »)

Mariinsky's festival comparitively meager this year: reviewer
St. Petersburg Times (Russia)

Lifestyle • World

Russia • ballet • St. Petersburg • animal • donkey • Mariinsky ballet • Don Quixote • St. Petersburg zoo

More Newser Stories

Parasailing Donkey Dies of Heart Attack

At least she died happy in animal sanctuary

(NEWSER) - Pity the poor parasailing Russian donkey, Anapka. The unlucky creature died of a heart attack after she was freed from her frightening work, and spent only a few months living in luxury, munching fresh fruit and veggies in an animal sanctuary outside Moscow. Anapka became an animal rights celeb after the donkey was spotted over the Azov Sea last year, floating through the sky in a parachute harness and braying in fright as part of a promotion for a parasailing company. She was saved after plunging into the sea, and finally delivered to the green fields of the sanctuary, reports AP . But the stress apparently was already too much for the 18-year-old donkey. She became ill recently and died of heart trouble. More»

Parasailing Donkey's Owner Won't Face Charges

Russian officials say animal is OK

(NEWSER) - The owner of a donkey that went parasailing over a Russian beach , terrifying both the animal and onlookers, will not face animal cruelty charges, the Moscow News reports. The donkey, a female, "is clinically healthy," a local official tells AFP , adding that the owner didn't see any problem with the stunt. But the news service notes: "The donkey's mental state remained unclear." More»

Flying Donkey Sparks Animal Cruelty Probe

Terrified animal goes parasailing, scaring Russian beachgoers

(NEWSER) - Russian police are investigating a possible case of animal cruelty after a donkey was forced to parasail over a beach resort, terrifying not only the animal but sunbathing families who watched from below. "The donkey screamed and children cried," a police rep tells AFP . "No-one had the brains to call police." Animal abuse is hardly news in Russia, the news service notes, demonstrating how brutal the incident was. More»

Elderly Donkey Thrives on Beer Diet

Rosie drinks Guinness twice a day

(NEWSER) - A British donkey is so old her owner thinks she may be a record-setter, and she's enjoying the privileges of age—including Guinness stout twice a day. Rosie may be as old as 54, but her age can't be documented. Her diet is on the record, though. "I used Guinness on and off in my days in racing stables," Rosie's owner tells the Daily Mirror . "It's a good thing if they have got poor quality blood—pregnant women during the war and after the war were given stout to help them because it's good quality iron." More»

25 Killed in Russian Train Crash

Officials suspect terrorist attack

(NEWSER) - Russian authorities suspect terrorism is behind a train derailment that killed at least 22 people last night. Dozens of others were injured when the Moscow-St Petersburg train came off the tracks, the Guardian reports. A crater was found beside the tracks, leading officials to believe a bomb could have been the cause. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Donkey Retires From Ballet

Monika ends successful run with Russia's Mariinsky ballet

Russia • ballet • St. Petersburg • animal • donkey • Mariinsky ballet • Don Quixote • St. Petersburg zoo

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Parasailing Donkey Dies of Heart Attack

At least she died happy in animal sanctuary

Parasailing Donkey's Owner Won't Face Charges

Russian officials say animal is OK

Flying Donkey Sparks Animal Cruelty Probe

Terrified animal goes parasailing, scaring Russian beachgoers

Elderly Donkey Thrives on Beer Diet

Rosie drinks Guinness twice a day

25 Killed in Russian Train Crash

Officials suspect terrorist attack

About Us

Site

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?