Over 2,000 Zambian Donkeys Provided with Care and Compassion

Thanks to your amazing support, the Zambezi Working Donkey Project (ZWDP) are continuing to make significant advances towards a Zambia where working donkeys are free from suffering and are treated with compassion.

September was a very busy month for the ZWDP team but, thanks to your kind donations, they are able to report on some exciting outcomes for working animals. So far this year, they have helped an astonishing 2,161 donkeys!

ZWDP dipped 214 donkeys, dewormed 44 and provided wound treatment for 28. The team held two mobile vet clinics and conducted ten field checks, engaging a total of 73 donkey owners from 19 villages. In addition, fifteen inhumane ox yokes were replaced with humane harnesses.

ZWDP saw the lowest number of donkeys needing deworming treatment last month, with just over 20% of donkeys needing deworming. Your continued support facilitates regular deworming of donkeys in the villages ZWDP work in.

Mobile Clinics

The mobile clinics were conducted in Libala and Maunga villages. Dipping and deworming of donkeys were conducted as a disease prevention strategy. In addition, treatment was provided for any sick donkeys based on their diagnosis. Additional clinic day activities included modification of scotch carts to fit humane harnesses instead of ox yokes. The ZWDP team also educated donkey owners and 115 children in the villages about donkey care and welfare.

Vet, Dr Khouloud, joined ZWDP’s activities at the beginning of September. She is an experienced equine vet and is offering support for the ZWDP team. Dr. Khouloud provided training on diagnostic imaging and also provided an extra pair of hands during this busy period.

Four surgeries were conducted under her guidance. This included the castration of Chief - one of ZWDP’s previously aggressive rescued donkeys who is now docile and happy. He recently joined the main herd and it is great to see him finally getting along with the other donkeys. Mbweda - a rescued donkey from August - had a successful excision of a sarcoid on his lower jaw. He is recovering well and will be ready to return home soon.

Rescues

There were four new rescues last month, leading to a total of 23 rescued donkeys at Maramba Farm.

The first rescue was a donkey called Prescar who was suffering from multiple wounds. A friend of ZWDP noticed a scotch cart overloaded with firewood not too far from Maramba Farm. The offender and the customer were educated about the dangers of overloading carts and how this affects animal welfare. Prescar was brought back to the sanctuary to receive short-term care for her multiple wounds. They are now in their last stages of healing and she is doing well overall.

The second rescue in September was a donkey called Talipan. Talipan was reported to have fallen to the ground whilst pulling a scotch cart. Since the accident, he had been unable to stand unassisted for two weeks. The team brought him back to Maramba Farm where he has been receiving supportive treatment including medications and physiotherapy.

The third rescue last month was a lovely donkey called Jackalass. He was rescued because of a lump on the skin of his lower neck. The lump needed to be urgently removed as it was near major blood vessels. Thankfully, with help from Dr Khouloud, the mass was successfully excised and Jackalass is now free of the discomfort caused by the mass. His wound is healing very well and he is happier than ever.

The final rescue was a young donkey called Transport. A concerned owner came to us at Maramba Farm reporting that his donkey had been badly hurt. The team rushed to the scene where they met Transport with a swollen front right fetlock joint. An x-ray revealed a minor fracture of one of the bones forming part of the fetlock joint. Thankfully, the fracture is expected to heal over 3 to 6 months with the help of a double-layered bandage. Transport has already shown marked improvement since his treatment started.

Lucky - the donkey rescued from the side of the road after a traffic accident - has now fully healed. She has since joined the main herd at Maramba Farm and is having the time of her life. She stands and moves with ease despite missing one of her pelvic bones.

With your invaluable support, ZWDP will continue to run their essential programs and work towards their vision of a Zambia where all donkeys are treated with care and compassion.