Zambezi Working Donkey Project, Zambia -March update
We are sure you will be happy to hear from one of our partners that you so kindly support, Zambezi Working Donkey Project. Their team reports that “March was yet another busy and exciting month for us and with your support, the donkeys are happier than ever!”
Here is more from them with details on how your funds have made a difference to the working donkeys that were in need of rescuing, rehabilitations, medical treatments and owner education.
Our team treated 156 donkeys from various villages within Livingstone.
A total of 4 donkeys received serious wound management and treatment whilst 140 donkeys were dipped and 82 donkeys dewormed. A total of 5 ox yokes were replaced by humane harnesses in the month of March.
Three new permanent residents added
This month, 3 new permanent residents were added to the herd of 15 following an agreement with their owners which include Set and her foal, Black and the oldest in the herd Jorburg.
Update on Forward and her foal
Forward and her foal were released back to their owner on the 27th of March, 2024 following their rescue on the 16th of February 2024, with an instruction that Forward should not be worked until her foal attains 6 months of age and is weaned. Forward and her foal’s owner will be visited regularly to ensure that her owner is compliant with the client education provided and to keep an eye on the progression of Forward and her foal.
Three stray donkeys taken into care
Three stray donkeys made their way to the sanctuary on the 18th of March 2024. These donkeys’ owners were initially unidentifiable. It was later discovered that one of the donkeys was from a neighbouring farm and the other two strayed away from its owner’s children from a market place in Livingstone. It’s been 22 days since these donkeys came under our care and we are doing our best to ensure that they are safely returned to their owners.
Donkey Chief, rescued
A male intact donkey called Chief was rescued on the 27th of March, 2024. This followed an injury on his right back leg that caused a separation between his hoof and the rest of the limb.
Our very first rescue Black grew a new hoof following similar damage to his back leg and this makes us hopeful that with the right treatment and care, Chief is on the road to recovery. There were reportedly no eye witnesses to this incident.
Update on rescued donkey, Lillian
Lillian, another one of our rescue donkeys has progressed positively since the 16th of February, 2024. The wound below her right eye has healed and the bleeding out of her nose stopped. She is currently on maternity leave and will hopefully make a full recovery.
Welcome to our team Audrine!
We are happy to report that Audrine, our new Program Coordinator has finally joined the team. She is a qualified vet with experience in equine medicine and also in project implementation.
Audrine will be taking on our daily and weekly sanctuary operations whilst expanding our scope in veterinary care.
Thank you so much for your continuing support so that we can bring you rewarding news such as this, on how the donkeys situations are improving after our partners’ rescue and caring efforts.
Summary of Zambezi work carried out in March
Please find below a summary including treatments and mobile outreach clinics delivered, with a total of 234 treatments provided to 156 donkeys, and 9 villages benefiting from these.
156 donkeys treated in total
140 received flea or tick treatment
82 received worming treatments
4 received wound care
4 received antiseptics
5 humane harnesses were provided
9 mobile clinic outreaches were delivered, with 47 attendees
