Botswana ~ MAWS September Update
MAWS Outreaches — September 2026.
Below is a selection of case studies from the work carried out in Samochina during the month.
Case Study 1 — Champion (August 2026) Champion was treated in August 2026; however, the report and photographs were only received from Samochima in early September, so his case is included in this report. Champion, a donkey from Samochima, was brought to Ansie on 10 August 2026 with a wire snare deeply embedded around his left hind foot. Ansie, our committee member based in Samochima, together with her assistant Thomas, carefully cut the wire snare out of his leg. Although the procedure must have been painful, Champion stood stoically throughout and did not try to kick — a sign of a well-handled and well-trained animal. His treatment was overseen by Ansie in collaboration with Caron, the MAWS veterinary advisor based in Maun. Champion was given pain relief and antibiotics, and after the procedure, he was offered food and water, which he started eating immediately. He is being kept at the Samochima sanctuary while his wound and recovery are monitored.
The wire snare embedded around Champion’s left hind foot, 10 August 2026.
Champion eating at the Samochima sanctuary during his recovery
Case Study 2 — Rra Centre Rra Centre runs a small cattle farm next to the veterinary gate at Samochima. The farm has no water supply, so he relies on a few donkeys and a donkey cart to carry water to the farm, as well as to collect firewood, which he both uses and sells. His donkeys were in good condition, but he had been unable to provide them with suitable harnessing for the work his small business depends on. Rra Centre has also been a valuable ally to MAWS, helping to identify thieves and trace stolen donkeys in the area. Ansie visited Rra Centre at his farm, assessed the animals and removed all of the inappropriate harnessing. He was then given four new sets of bridles, harnesses and blankets. Ansie returned the following weekend to deworm the donkeys. This case shows how correctly fitting equipment protects the welfare of working animals while also supporting the livelihoods of the families who depend on them. Rra Centre with his donkeys and water cart, fitted with their new bridles and harnesses.
Fitting the new tack to Rra Centre’s donkeys.
Old, inappropriate harnessing removed from the donkeys.
New, correctly fitting bridles.
New blankets and pads.
The old, homemade harnesses and bridles removed from Rra Centre’s donkeys
Case Study 3 — Bay Mare on 24 September 2026, a bay mare was brought to the Samochima sanctuary for treatment of saddle wounds. Her wounds were cleaned and treated, and she remains in Ansie’s care at the sanctuary for further treatment. Saddle wounds of this kind are among the most common tack-related injuries seen in working equines and are caused by poorly fitting saddles creating pressure and friction. The bay mare on arrival at the Samochima sanctuary, 24 September 2026 Saddle wounds before treatment
A saddle wound after cleaning
The cleaned wounds along her back
Case Study 4 — Seronga Follow-Up: When MAWS visited Seronga in May 2026, Rra Chris brought his donkeys to the outreach for checking and treatment. Unfortunately, the team had run out of replacement equipment by that stage of the visit, so we promised to get new equipment to him as soon as more became available. This promise was fulfilled in September, when Rra Chris received two new harnesses and two new bridles for his donkeys. He is very grateful to now be able to harness his animals appropriately. This follow-up reflects MAWS’s commitment to continuing support for the communities reached during the program, beyond the outreach day itself.
Rra Chris with his donkeys in their new harnesses and bridles, Seronga
The new, correctly fitting bridles and harnesses
Future Outreaches — October 2026 Onwards. A major outreach was carried out at Nxamaserie in October 2026 by Ansie and her team. A full report, including the number of animals attended to and photographs, will be included in our October report. A further outreach, run in partnership with Animal Aid Abroad Inc., is scheduled in the Maun area on Saturday 17 October 2026 from 8.00 am at Xaakaanare Kgotla (Matlapana).
Weather Conditions in October: Temperatures continue to rise, with temperatures expected to exceed 40°C between now and the end of the month. We have found in the past that, when an outreach is advertised, equine owners will ride their animals for several hours to attend, which is far from ideal in these conditions. MAWS therefore expects to wind down outreach activity until the rains break at the end of November or early December, bringing some relief from the heat. Our team will continue to respond to individual calls and welfare cases in the meantime. MAWS is extremely grateful to Animal Aid Abroad Inc. for its continued support, which has made it possible for our team to reach working animals and their owners in communities with significant geographical and transport barriers to veterinary care.