His ears hang high: Hank the donkey’s 1.5 ft-long lobes break record for biggest on globe
There's been whispers about a brand-new record-breaking donkey… and we’re all ears!
Meet Hank – the loud, proud owner of the Guinness World Records title for the longest ears on a living donkey.
Earlier this month, this playful 16-year-old farm animal from Muncy, Pennsylvania, USA received some fateful measurements on behalf of his keeper Jennifer Gee (USA), which revealed that his ears are an eye-catching 17.12 in (43.50 cm).
Spanning roughly 1.5 in (3.3 cm) longer than the prior record holder – Hope the donkey, in Byron, Georgia – and standing taller than a bowling pin, Hank’s supersized ears permitted him to handily take the title, a fact which made Jennifer and her whole family “so excited.”
“He got a lot of pets and hugs and special treats that day,” she said to GWR. “We also are having T-shirts made with his picture!”
Jennifer first met Hank five years ago, when she went to investigate some of his pasture mates listed for sale. She says that the sweet Mammoth Jackstock donkey ran right up to her, and wouldn’t leave her side until she eventually decided to bring him home with her.
“His owner was shocked, because he had never taken to anyone like that before,” explained Jennifer. “I ended up purchasing him because I fell in love with him.”
Read more stories about record-breaking pets in our dedicated Animals section!
Over their half-decade long friendship, the pair have bonded closely – and Jennifer describes him as a “very playful and goofy boy.”
She says that he loves spending his time as her hiking buddy and “tormenting” his pasture mates, yet most of all, the duo enjoy competing in trail obstacle competitions – where Jennifer agilely guides Hank through a variety of obstructions as fast as they can.
Nevertheless, she also added that: “no matter where I take him, the comments have always been that he has the biggest ears they have ever seen!”
As such, when someone sent Jennifer the article about the past record holder, she thought that they might as well see how Hank holds up.
And turns out – he was incomp-ear-able!
In front of a proud Jennifer and two other witnesses, veterinarian Allison Dotzel took three total measurements of Hank’s ears at every position, then averaged them to reach a final total of 17.12 in (43.50 cm).
The group was so thrilled to find out that Hank’s enormous ears allowed him to take his place in the record books, and Jennifer is planning even more celebrations for the special donkey.
So congratulations to the adorable duo – you are now Officially Amazing!