The Zambezi Working Donkey Project (ZWDP) – our partner group in Zambia – have a vision: a world where working animals are treated with respect and compassion, living free from suffering. With your generous and heartfelt support, they are getting closer to their vision for donkeys in Zambia.

Over the past six months, the ZWDP team has assisted 1,421 donkeys, which is a 69% increase from last year.

Mobile Veterinary Clinics

In June, ZWDP provided 271 donkeys with veterinary care including dipping, deworming and wound treatment. The team conducted four mobile clinics, along with follow-up visits and check-ups in eight villages. Eighty-nine donkey owners were engaged in educational activities, and your donations helped to replace nine inhumane ox yokes with humane harnesses.

In addition, ZWDP’s supervisor visited a new village, Namalazo, where he engaged five owners and treated 16 donkeys. This village is around 15 kilometers further from ZWDP’s usual areas of work. Thanks to your donations, the number of working donkeys and owners receiving aid through their field programs is expanding.

ZWDP’s first mobile clinic in June was held in Muchinga village. Thirteen donkeys were dipped and eight were dewormed. The second mobile clinic was held in Wiketo village. Here, 29 donkeys were dipped, 20 were dewormed and five received basic wound care. During this outreach day, two children were spotted being cruel to donkeys. These children were educated about animal rights and the importance of ensuring good animal welfare and showing respect for working animals.

During June, two mobile clinics were also conducted in Libuyu. It was positive seeing compliant donkey owners at Libuyu market, who were meeting all the requirements for responsible animal ownership. Their donkeys were happy, fitted with humane harnesses and attached to scotch carts that were lightly loaded and of the right size. In Libuya, 31 donkeys were dipped for parasites and eight donkeys received deworming treatment. Eleven donkeys received treatment for minor wounds. Some children passing by the market were educated about how they can help combat working animal cruelty at Libuyu market.

June Rescues

ZWDP’s latest rescue is a lovely girl called Twapenga. She was recently rescued for being worked too young and also had a wound on her back and another on her left shoulder. She was being worked by a young man from Japhta village who was not actually her owner. The young man claimed to be unaware of the implications that working young animals has on them and was therefore educated about this. Twapenga’s wound are healing and ZWDP are awaiting communication from her owner to get to the bottom of this case.

Another donkey rescued recently was Mutoewa, who was also being abused by someone who was not her actual owner. Mutoewa was provided with wound care and has been returned to her proper owner. The person mistreating Mutoewa was also educated about the importance of animal rights and welfare.

Cases like Twapenga’s and Mutoewa’s are unfortunately on the rise and are being handled on a case-by-case basis. Depending on the situation, either the person committing abuse and/or the owner of the animal will be to blame for the suffering of a working donkey(s). Although ZWDP often give first-time offenders another chance following education, if things do not improve then penalties for mistreatment or abuse of working animals will apply.

Update on Sanctuary Residents

At ZWDP’s sanctuary Maramba Farm - Jackson the donkey is in his last stages of healing. He was rescued in 2023 after his back was cruelly burned by setting petrol alight. The team are dedicated to restoring the quality of life for abused donkeys, no matter how long it takes. Jackson’s healing journey is coming to a close and ZWDP couldn’t be any happier.

Another donkey called White joined the herd at Maramba Farm as a permanent retiree in February. Although she had terrible wounds and sun burn on her face, her wounds have completely healed and much of her sunburnt face has been replaced with new skin covered in fur. Thanks to your support, White has now happily settled into retirement.

The little foals at Maramba Farm, Joe and Teddy, are doing very well. Joe is the foal of ZWDP’s first rescue, Black, while Teddy is the foal of a recently-rescued donkey called Future. Joe is more reserved despite being born on the farm, while Teddy is more receptive to handling. Both foals have smoothly transitioned to eating grass and reduced their milk intake. Their mothers are also doing well and are starting to gain condition as the energy demands of lactation are reducing.

Sadly, Junior - one of the geriatric donkeys at the sanctuary - passed away last month. He had started to grow back fur after being treated for a skin condition, but started to relapse. Unfortunately, it was concluded he was suffering from liver disease and his liver was failing. Junior was also exhibiting signs of pain his back legs. He received pain medication for three days before he passed away. ZWDP will always cherish their memories of Junior.

Thank you once again for your fantastic support, which is helping to create a kinder future for all donkeys in Zambia.