Nepalese Working donkeys Move to New Sanctuary

Twelve rescued working donkeys today moved from different parts of the city to their new home, the Godavari Donkey Sanctuary. After being unloaded from the car the donkeys happily walked through a bamboo forest to their new home. After arriving they sniffed the place out, drank some water and banqueted on the lush bamboo plants. The move was filmed by Kantipur Television.

It was a dream come true. for us and the donkeys.Since a month ten rescued donkeys, including blind Naina, were kept at a temporary shelter in our Chobar Animal Sanctuary. The conditions here were not ideal as construction was going on and the night shelter was cramped. Today the donkeys, together with Kutchuri (a partly blind donkey) and Kabita who were kindly taken care of by Windhorse Stables until the sanctuary was completed, all met in Chobar, before being transported to Godavari.

Blind donkey Naina enjoyed the company at Chobar so much, she used to park herself in front of the Animal Nepal ambulance. Naina transformed from a malnourished, grumpy equine into a fat, happy going donkey. No wonder she did not want to leave. However, after checking out her new home, Naina got excited and did not stop grazing untill she was forced to enter the night shelter at 5 pm.

Some donkeys will stay at the sanctuary till they die. The active and healthy ones will be made available for adoption to responsible owners.

We want to thank Brigitte Bardot Foundation and Animal Aid Abroad for making the Sanctuary a reality. Also thanks to Nilam for construction, Govinda and Urmila Khanal for arranging land, adoptive families for taking in a rescued donkey, and our staff for working so hard to get everything in place.

Lucia De Vries

Director- Animal Nepal