Zambezi Working Donkey Project - December 2023

Our generous AAA donors provide vital funding for our partner groups around the world, including the Zambezi Working Donkey Project (ZWDP). Following is their December 2023 report:

During December our team treated 80 donkeys through mobile clinics, in addition to our 12 permanent residents at Maramba Farm. 79 donkeys were dipped and 34 dewormed during field trips.

Unfortunately, there was an Anthrax outbreak in the Southern Province of Zambia where Livingstone is located. (Anthrax is a serious infectious disease caused by gram-positive, rod-shaped bacteria known as Bacillus anthracis. It occurs naturally in soil and commonly affects domestic and wild animals around the world. People can get sick with anthrax if they come in contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products.) Because of this virus, we had to be extra careful whilst treating donkeys in the field. We had decided to not undertake any full mobile clinics as such event could be a quick spreader of the virus. Emmanuel, our project supervisor continues to do individual check ups in the field instead. Luckily the outbreak is under control now and we can continue our clinics as normal per January.

Last month, we had a very busy month with new rescues at Maramba Farm. In total we rescued 4 donkeys: Set, Kamuseka, Chiloto and Jealous. One of the donkeys (Set) also has a foal who was brough to the farm so she could keep nursing it which brings the total of new donkeys to 5.

Set was poured on with fuel and set on fire because she was roaming in someone’s garden. Because she was still in the village, the wound wasn’t treated properly and started to infect. Luckily, she is in our care now together with her foal and her wound is slowly healing. They are enjoying the green grass in the paddock and are already getting more and more curious to their surroundings, coming over to the fence for a morning cuddle.

Chiloto had a bad case of ticks, especially around her armpits. Her owners tried to remove the ticks but unfortunately, they weren’t removed correctly and her armpits started to get infected. Emmanual came across her whilst out in the field and decided to take her to Maramba Farm where she was dipped and dewormed and her wounds are treated every day. We can already see a great improvement in the last 3 weeks.

Jealous and Kamuseka have bad wounds from being overworked and are looking very skinny. Since in our care, they are both doing better and are enjoying the peace and quiet together in our quarantine paddock.

We are happy that the rains have properly started in Livingstone so our donkeys are enjoying fresh green grass every day!

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!