Donkeys (Equus asinus) were domesticated from African wild asses (E. africanus) about 5000 years ago and were subsequently dispersed around the world by trade and colonization. After industrialization the need for donkeys declined and feral populations established from released or escaped individuals. Due to their ability to adapt to arid environments, high fecundity, and low mortality, feral donkeys became abundant in desert regions of Australia, North America, and South America. While feral donkey populations currently account for millions of animals, populations of their wild ass relatives (African wild asses, Asiatic wild asses (E. hemionus), and Tibetan wild asses (E. kiang)) are mostly in decline and in need of conservation. The aim of this chapter is to provide an overview of feral donkey ecology and management. It describes how donkeys were domesticated and how their African wild ass ancestry has been retained in terms of their arid-adaptability and social structure. Donkeys are compared and contrasted to wild ass species in a framework of global range, population abundance, habitat use, and population management and conservation.