Zambezi Working Donkey Project - October 2023 Report

Supporters of AAA will know that donkeys are one of the working animals that most need our help, and one of the organisations making a huge difference in this area is the Zambezi Working Donkey Project (ZWDP). Here is their October report:

During October our team treated 126 donkeys through mobile clinics, in addition to our 14 permanent residents at Maramba Farm. 123 donkeys were dipped, 64 dewormed and 13 donkeys were treated for wounds.

On Thursday the 12th of October the team conducted a training for a group that came from Choma which is approximately 2 hours away from Livingstone. Someone had contacted us if it was possible to provide some training for staff members about donkey/animal welfare and how to make humane harnesses. It was a great morning of sharing knowledge and teaching them all the ins and outs about donkey welfare. They went home with 4 nicely made new pairs of harnesses so they can use them for the donkeys at their farms. We are keeping in contact for potential collaborations in the future as there as so many more donkeys that need help, especially in areas that we haven’t been able to operate in the last few years.

Besides these 4 harnesses, the team has given out another 5 new sets of harnesses. As we are slowly approaching rainy season, a lot of farmers want to use their donkeys to plough the land in preparation for planting maize or other crops. Most of the times these farmers don’t have the right tools/harnesses so it’s great to see that they know where to find us and get the proper equipment before using their donkeys.

As we are all about rehabilitation and rehoming at ZWDP, we said goodbye to 3 of our permanent residents + Belinda (the foal that was left behind after her mother died). On Sunday the 8th of October, the 4 donkeys were driven to Lusaka, to Hesther’s residence. We are happy to report everything went well and all arrived safely. Mango and Belinda have found their new home with Hesther, where they are now happily grazing in the garden and keeping the dogs, cats and horses’ company. Missy and Elijah are also at Hesther’s house at the moment enjoying their time before they will go to their forever retirement home.

Maramba farm is now remaining with 11 permanent residents, finding forever retirement homes for our donkeys is always a little bit sad and difficult as we have to say goodbye but it allows us to help more vulnerable donkeys in need.

No sooner had we loaded the 4 donkeys to Lusaka, then 2 more rescues came in… Junior, who has suffered a life of terrible abuse and is extremely thin and malnourished with deformed back legs. He has been temporarily released for treatment but cannot work again due to his poor legs, so will likely become a permanent resident! Then we responded to a call out for a heavily pregnant female who had been axed on her rump. While the wound was deep and infected, we are confident she will make a full recovery and she will stay at the farm until her foal is born and she is ready to go back to her owner.

It is thanks to the supporters of AAA that we were able to help these donkeys and we will continue fighting their cause wherever we can!