Analysis of information sources in references of the Wikipedia article "Île de Ré" in English language version.
On the island Ré, of the French Atlantic coast near La Rochelle, an old tradition is in place. The donkeys are given "trousers" to wear, a kind of long gaitor made from plain or checked material. These "trousers" are to protect the donkey from mosquito bites. The donkeys were used for the salt harvest in the salt marshes and to gather kelp from the beaches. This kelp was then used as fertiliser on the fields of the island. These days the tradition is only used as a tourist attraction and as ancient custom. Usually Poitou donkeys are used.
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