Miniature Donkey That Inspired ‘Donkey’ from Shrek Passes Away at 30

Perry, the donkey who was the inspiration for the character “Donkey” in the Shrek films, passed away on January 2 in the San Francisco Bay Area at the age of 30.

“He developed a nerve impingement which affected his ability to use his left hind leg properly, resulting in significant muscle loss on that side. Consequently, he was relying heavily on his right hind leg, which led to a painful condition known as support laminitis,” Kiratli explained. “Laminitis is an extremely painful hoof ailment.”

In his final weeks, Perry struggled to walk and was in constant discomfort, she noted. Despite prescribed pain medication, he could not find relief, leading to the decision for euthanasia. A veterinarian and a group of about a dozen volunteers, including Kiratli, were there to say goodbye as Perry was put to rest.

Perry was born in 1994 and originally hailed from New York. He was brought to California at three years old to accompany polo ponies, but he unintentionally caused trouble by nipping at them. In 1997, he became a resident of Barron Park Donkeys, where he lived in a private pasture in Palo Alto, California.

Perry, whose registered name was Pericles, earned the nickname “The Celebrity” after animators visited to observe his unique movements and gait. Dreamworks then teamed with a local animation studio, Pacific Data Images, to study and sketch him.

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“To us, he was not just the donkey from Shrek; he was simply Perry. Full of playfulness and a great sense of humor,” Kiratli reminisced. “My husband often recounts how Perry would sneak up behind him and nip him, then turn around with a grin when my husband looked surprised.”

Kiratli has been closely involved with Perry since joining the project in 2016, holding many cherished memories of him.

“In his final years, Perry became incredibly affectionate. This past year, he would allow me to hug him and lean into me. He had a unique way of expressing when he wanted something, especially during feeding times when he would lead me to the gate for the food shed,” she recalled.

Since Perry’s passing, Kiratli has received numerous messages of support from around the globe.

Details about a memorial for Perry will be shared soon. The most recent memorial for a donkey took place outdoors in a park, attended by the mayor and various volunteers to honor the beloved animal.