In a touching finale, the beloved Perry, the real-life donkey who worked as the muse for the ever-iconic Donkey character in DreamWorks’ Shrek movies, died this week at 30 years old in Palo Alto, California. His death marked the end of a very long and fantastic journey, not only for the donkey himself but also for the people through whom he lived over the years.
Originally named Pericles, Perry came to the Barron Park Donkey Project in 1997, a donation from his previous owners. Having previously been used as a calming companion for thoroughbred horses, the donkey found a new home and purpose in the Barron Park pasture. His calm nature, striking features, and peculiar movements made him an ideal model for the animators at Pacific Data Images (PDI), the animation studio behind Shrek. PDI came to visit the Barron Park Donkey Project to study Perry’s moves and traits that were then translated into the animated character of Donkey, voiced by Eddie Murphy. Despite the tremendous contribution Perry gave to the movie, at no point was he even credited in that movie, nor did the studio give more than a token $75 donation to the park for his likeness.
Well, over time, Perry far eclipsed simply being the inspiration behind a movie character into so much more-a treasured fixture and citizen of Barron Park. The donkey, along with his companions Buddy and April, became a point of attraction as visitors thronged the Barron Park to pet the animals. To many residents, the home of these donkeys was an oasis from life’s bustle across the area that is Silicon Valley.
Besides being a famous animation icon, the life of Perry was filled with deep care instituted by the Barron Park Donkey Project. His handlers, including Jenny Kiratli, spoke lovingly of the donkey’s impact, noting how he brought a sense of calm and joy to those around him. As medical needs for Perry went up with age, so did the rallying by the community in support of the care. In 2024, a very generous $10,000 donation from the Palo Alto City Council covered some of Perry’s medical expenses, and the community was constantly working to raise funds to make sure the Barron Park donkeys received the best care possible.
Perry’s impact on the Shrek franchise cannot be denied. Whereas his appearance in the animated films was unmistakably inspired by his real-life counterpart, the character of Donkey became a central part of the Shrek series: his witty dialog, his energetic personality, his good friendship with Shrek. Though not accredited as such in the credits, Perry’s contribution to providing voice to the character cemented his mark in the film industry and in the hearts of Shrek fans worldwide.
As Perry grew older, his health started deteriorating. His health issues were typical for elderly donkeys, including arthritis and a case of equine Cushing’s disease. His condition involved much care; the Barron Park Donkey Project spent thousands every year to make sure that Perry and the other donkeys received proper medical treatment. The medical bills, among other sanctuary expenses, accounted for as much as $40,000 annually.
Perry’s death was highly mourned within the community. Residents and visitors alike flooded in with tributes for this dear donkey that had charmed their lives over the years. Many shared pictures of themselves and Perry on social media, speaking fondly of when they visited Barron Park. His death is not just the loss of an animal but also that of a community mascot, friend, and an embodiment of kindness and joy. Plans for a memorial service have not been announced, but from the outpouring of love for Perry, his memory will be kept alive in the hearts of those who knew him.
It was a bit of a load on the community, but the Barron Park Donkey Project, which cared for Perry and his companions for close to three decades, will always be grateful for the support given by the community over the years-mostly in later years. His legacy is not just one of movie fame through Shrek; it’s community engagement and that quiet joy brought into people’s lives by animals. The donkeys have been part of Barron Park since the 1950s and remain dependent on donations via the Barron Park Donkey Project. The passage of Perry underlines that continuous support is necessary for those animals, since taking care of them is very expensive.
To many, Perry was a link to a more uncomplicated and serene era. He brought solace to those who flocked to see him at Barron Park-looking for serenity or the companionship of friendly donkeys. In Palo Alto, his legacy is deeply ingrained in its fabric, and the absence he leaves will hardly be filled.
The community is also grateful for the joy and comfort he brought into so many lives as they remember his life. Although Perry is no longer with this world, his spirit will continue to live in the memories of those who got the privilege of meeting him along with the movies of Shrek, introducing him to the world. His life was a testament to how deeply animals can influence our lives, and sometimes how the most unexpected inspirations will continue their legacy long afterward.
