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Donkeys on the picturesque Greek island of Santorini are being crippled by carrying overweight holidaymakers, animal charities say.

Locals have even started breeding their donkeys with stronger mules so it is easier for them to carry fatter tourists.

The animals have traditionally been used to carry visitors up the hundreds of cobbled steps and steep hills on the popular cruise ship stop-off.

But campaigners claim they are being forced to carry ever-heavier loads, causing spinal injuries and open wounds from ill-fitting saddles.

(Image: Caters)

A spokesman for charity Help the Santorini Donkeys said: “They’re having to resort to using cross-bred mules, as the donkeys just aren’t strong enough.

“It’s recommended animals carry no more than 20% of their body weight.

“Obese and overweight tourists com­­bined with the lack of shade and water, heat and cobbled steps is what’s causing such a problem.”

He added: “There should be a weight restriction. With donkeys it should be no more than eight stone, but how would that be imposed?”

(Image: Getty)

In summer, up to five cruise ships a day bring swarms of 1,200 tourists.

Witnesses claim donkeys make four to five journeys up the 500-plus steps to capital Fira town.

Santorini Animal Welfare Association founder Christina Kaloudi, 42, moved to the island from Athens 10 years ago.

She said since then, the number of overweight US, Russian and British tourists has trebled, add­­ing: “Donkeys are pretty much in work year-round.

“They are made to work in terrible conditions without adequate water, shelter or rest, and then I find them tied outside my shelter, barely alive.”

UK-based The Donkey Sanctuary said: “[We do] not promote the use of donkeys and mules in any form of tourism.”