THOUSANDS of people have signed a petition demanding a 30mph speed limit in the New Forest and other measures aimed at safeguarding the animals.

The online petition has been launched by Fiona MacDuff and Adie Callaghan following the death of a baby donkey that had featured in a road safety campaign.

As reported in the Daily Echo six-month-old Jo-Jo was killed by a car just weeks after taking part in an event at Brockenhurst College.

Jo-Jo was owned by Rob and Genette Byford, of Tile Barn Lane, Brockenhurst.

They have now attached reflective stickers to all their other donkeys in a bid to make them more visible at night.

Fiona and Adie are calling for the 40mph speed limit on all unfenced roads in the Forest to be lowered to 30mph.

They also want more traffic-calming measures to be installed as well as extra signage to raise awareness of the issue.

The petition has already been backed by more than 3,300 people.

Fiona, a 43-year-old graphic designer from Sway, said she and Adie were hoping to gather as many as 10,000 signatures.

She added: “People need to be more speed aware. They’re legally entitled to drive at 40mph but that’s a maximum speed and no-one should travel that fast on dark nights, when many of the accidents occur.

“Animals are like two-year-old children – moody and unpredictable. Drivers should slow down when they see them and give them a wide berth.”

Adie, a 42-year-old marketing manager, added: “Speed is the big issue, coupled with people’s lack of comprehension that they’re in a national park.

“We need a combination of solutions, including a review of speed limits at accident blackspots and more signage. Education is the key.”

Adie, whose pet dog was killed by a car last year, added: “We have been overwhelmed by the response to our petition. Jo-Jo’s death seems to have been the last straw.”

About 70 ponies, cows and donkeys are killed on Forest roads every year.

Nigel Matthews, head of recreation management at the National Park Authority, said: “Some people have called for the 40mph speed limit to be lowered.

“However, Jo-Jo was killed in a 30mph zone within a village and in any case animals can be killed or injured at 30mph or lower speeds.

“The majority of accidents involve local people, many of whom become complacent as they go about their daily business.

“We are again appealing to drivers to be more careful. They should be ready to stop in case an animal steps into the road.”