Hank the Donkey Sets World Record With 18-Inch Ears

When Jennifer Gee measured her donkey Hank's ears as a joke, she discovered they were more than three inches longer than the world record. A year of paperwork later, Hank is officially the donkey with the longest ears on Earth.

Hank is a 16-year-old American Mammoth Donkey who lives on the Gees' small Pennsylvania farm. Jennifer has been raising donkeys for about 15 years, but Hank was special from the start.

"He immediately came up to me and followed me around the pasture," Jennifer said. "He wasn't for sale, but by the time I left, I had bought him because we just knew he was the one."

Five years later, Jennifer's husband Ed spotted an article about the previous record holder, whose ears measured 15 inches. He joked that Hank's had to be longer.

They were right. Hank's ears measured over 18 inches, shattering the old record by more than three inches.

Getting Guinness to make it official proved harder than the measurement itself. Jennifer had to coordinate visits from a licensed veterinarian and two livestock experts, submit videos and photos from specific angles, and complete mountains of paperwork. The entire process took a year.

There was no prize money or fancy ceremony, but Jennifer plans a virtual handoff with the previous record holder. "She is a really good sport, and it's all in good fun," Jennifer said.

Sunny's Take

People who've seen Hank at trail competitions, horse shows, and county fairs have always commented on his remarkable ears. When Jennifer announced the record on social media, friends from the equestrian community celebrated, saying they'd known all along.

But Hank's personality matches his impressive appearance. "He's so fun, I could probably walk him into a Walmart," Jennifer said. "He will do anything I ask."

American Mammoth Donkeys like Hank are large enough to ride and can work well into their 30s, much longer than horses. At 16, Hank still has many years of turning heads at public events ahead of him.

Jennifer jokes that the award has made Hank's head even bigger, though she insists he remains "the sweetest, most outgoing, lovable donkey" who loves people more than other animals. Some supporters have suggested merchandise with Hank's picture, but Jennifer hasn't made plans yet.

Her real motivation was simpler and closer to home: "It was really something to do to prove to my husband that he was worth something," she said with a laugh.

For now, Jennifer and Hank are enjoying their moment in the spotlight, knowing another long-eared contender will eventually come along. Until then, they're savoring what it means to have the donkey with the longest ears in the world.