Forget Bill, Monica rules in Russia

The name may be famous for sexual antics in America, but in Russia Monica is the most famous donkey in the land. For 19 years she’s performed leading stage roles at St. Petersburg’s world-famous Mariinsky Theatre. But now she’s retiring.

Monica must have a good pension by now; the zoo received some $US 200 for every performance.

Also the star of a Gladiator movie, she used to have a part-time job in Don Quixote and Undina. But fame doesn’t last forever.

Monica

She’s just 21 – middle aged by donkey’s standards – but as every artist knows, it’s best to quit in your prime before you make an ass of yourself.

Now all the donkey work will be passed on to her understudy, Alina.