Obese tourists will no longer ride donkeys in Greece after the Greek government published a new set of regulations to ensure the well-being of animals used to transport people on islands.
The decision came after many working animals suffered from spinal injuries and open wounds as a result of donkeys carrying heavy tourists.
Images showing donkeys climbing steep hills while struggling with the weight of some obese tourists were heartbreaking to watch, and helped in prompting the decision to help the animals for the sake of their well-being.
Now, donkeys will no longer be allowed to carry loads of more than 100kg or one-fifth of their weight.
Islands like Santorini and Hydra are known for using donkeys as tourist attractions as certain areas are hard for visitors to gain access to.
The treatment of donkeys has often been showcased by the media and there have been many complaints by animal rights groups.