 During this same time, Poitou bloodlines were also used to develop other donkey breeds, including the American Mammoth Jack in the United States.Increasing mechanization in the mid-20th century saw a decline in the need for, and hence population of, the breed, and by 1977, a survey found only 44 members worldwide.Conservation efforts were begun by a number of public and private breeders and organizations, and by 2005 there were 450 purebred Poitou donkeys.