Bridging Lanka - Mannar Donkey Welfare Report - October 2021

The Bridging Lanka Donkey Clinic and Education Centre (DCEC) have updated us on their October activity:

Donkey Rescue Number: 285

Frequently a young donkey enters the naval camp to scavenge for food from their garbage pile. A naval officer, Sam, took pity on the animal, feeding it daily. Unfortunately Sam was transferred and the poor donkey was neglected. It continued to come to the camp daily in search of food. It became obvious that it was pining for the missing officer. Fortunately some time later, another officer, Priyantha, was transferred to the camp. An animal lover, he continued the feeding tradition established by Sam.

One day another strapping male donkey seeing the young donkey being cared for so well, seemed to exude jealousy, chased the donkey and bit it. The donkey escaped. On another occasion the donkey was not so lucky. While trying to escape it became entangled in a barbed wire fence. The wound was not noticed and grew serious. It started to smell and become maggot infested. Finally the suffering animal was brought to the donkey clinic and treated.

The daily treatment regimen involved administering antiseptics and anti-parasitics – first Hydrogen Peroxide to clean the wound followed by Negasunt and Betadine. Within two weeks the nasty wound had completely healed, and upon our vet’s advice, the donkey was released on 19th of October.

Donkey Rescue Number 288

While releasing a rehabilitated donkey in a forested area, the rescue team noticed another donkey with a broken leg. Even though in pain, the donkey resisted being caught and galloped away. After much effort and tactical manoeuvring the donkey rescue crew cornered it, loaded it onto the truck, informed our vet of the incident and returned to the clinic.

Before the arrival of the vet, he instructed the Donkey Welfare Officers on a treatment protocol. The officers treated the poor donkey with Hydrogen Peroxide, Penicillin, Negasunt and Betadine. They also tied a splint to the broken leg. When our vet arrived he checked their work and made some adjustments. The donkey was placed in our Intensive Care Unit and is being treated daily with Negasunt, Betadine andOrondo spray. The wound is recovering and the donkey is now beginning to walk slowly again.