IT’S official – the world’s tallest donkey lives in a sanctuary in the UK and already towers over his keeper – and he hasn’t stopped growing.
Loveable giant Derrick is a staggering 16.3 hands, the equivalent of being 5ft 5ins or 167cms tall.
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His status has now been recognised as a Guinness World Record (GWR) and he has the certificate to prove it.
Derrick is an American Mammoth Jackstock – the largest breed in the world – but calls the Radcliffe Donkey Sanctuary, in Lincolnshire, as his home.
Sanctuary owner Tracy Garton said in 2022: “He was always big, he was big when he was born.
“He hasn’t finished growing yet, they stop growing when they reach seven years old.
“So he still has a lot of time.”
The 52-year-old said that despite his size, Derrick is a gentle giant: “Derrick is very, very friendly.
“He’s just like a big dog, follows you around all the time and wants to be by your side.”
The record was previously held by Romulus in Texas, USA, who had held the record since 2013.
The donkey sanctuary though is not just home to one record breaker but two.
Also being taken care of there is Bambou who has been officially recognised as having the world’s longest donkey ears.
Bambou’s ears come in at a very impressive 35cm, or 1ft 1in.
Radcliffe Donkey Sanctuary opened in 1992, it has 59 animals including donkeys, mules, horses, zeedonks and a zonky.
Both Derrick and Bambou feature in the 2026 edition of the GWR which also includes painter Lưu Công Huyền, from Vietnam, who has set the world record for the longest fingernails on a pair of hands (male) (594.45 cm/19ft 6in in total).
Despite the extraordinary length of his nails, Huyền continues to paint – leaving them coated in a striking rainbow of splashes from his artwork.
Craig Glenday, Editor-in-Chief of Guinness World Records said: I want readers to treat GWR 2026 as a guidebook for getting their names cemented in history.
“Everyone has the potential to be the best in the world at something, and this book is the key to unlocking that.
“Reading about records is one thing, but if you want to be part of it, then your journey starts here.”
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