Donkeys to help re-establish rare wild flower in Devon

Animals will be used to tread in seeds of small-flowered catchfly at Donkey Sanctuary rewilding project

The donkey has performed many roles: carrying Jesus, giving seaside rides to children and being the butt of many jokes over thousands of years of domestication. Now an unfamiliar job can be added to the list: ecosystem engineer.

The hard-working animals will help re-establish one of Britain's rarest wild flowers by trampling over specially seeded plots.