Zambezi Working Donkey Project- April Update
With your support, 195 donkeys have been relieved of suffering, abuse and pain in the month of April with our partner ZWDP in Zambia.
Please find an update of April's activities from Zambezi's Program Coordinator, Audrine Nkana.
A breakdown of the main treatments and activities to aid working donkeys included
( Please note many donkeys received multiple treatments )
- 27 treated for back and beating wounds,
- 116 treated for worms
- 169 treated for ticks
- 20 vaccinated for tetenus
- 4 rescued
- Replaced 11 ox yokes with humane harnesses
- In terms of education and outreach programs, one mobile clinic outreach was held, as well as 5 field check-ups.
Foal Black rescued from harmful working conditions
Sadly, despite our efforts to ensure that donkeys are no longer harmed for human gain, the team confiscated a foal named Black from her owner on April 19th 2024, because she was being used to pull a cart filled with bags of charcoal and firewood despite not being of age to work.
The team ran into Black and her owner on their way to a nearby market for a field checkup. Nevertheless, Black is healthy, and her good body condition stands out.
Rescue of Sitolo and her foal
Our second rescue this month was Sitolo and her foal from Mutonga village. According to her owner, Sitolo has been staggering, losing balance, and falling over since she was bought from her previous owner about a year ago. She was pregnant at the time she was purchased and fortunately foaled without any reported complications on February 27th 2024. It's not certain when this problem started, but she has shown improvement since she was rescued and has had access to more food and water. Besides possible dehydration and malnutrition due to the drought, Audrine, our program coordinator, and veterinarians' physical examination findings are consistent with those of cardiovascular disease. However, due to limitations in diagnostic equipment to ascertain a diagnosis, Sitolo is currently on observation care and symptomatic treatment. The good news is that her foal is very active and well.
Update on last month's rescue of Chief
Our previous rescue from last month, Chief, had minor surgery to remove a mass protruding from the internal structures of the hoof on his right hindlimb. This protrusion seems to have occurred because of the injury to his coronet on the affected limb, which caused the hoof horn of his sole to collapse. His foot is recovering slowly, and he is generally doing well.
Down to two stray donkeys
One of the three stray donkeys was claimed by its rightful owner this month after Emmanuel, our supervisor, confirmed ownership. This leaves us with only two stray donkeys, who are healthy and happy in their temporary new home. These donkeys have been in quarantine since their arrival on March 18th, 2024, and are now ready to join the rest of the herd.
Expansion to Western Province
We are happy to report that we have officially expanded to Western Province. This month, our supervisor Emmanuel travelled west into nine selected villages of the Western Province of Zambia to officiate our operations outside of Southern Province. During the visit, he engaged donkey owners and sensitised them on our project activities. He selected one representative from each village for a total of nine contact persons and set up locations for the next harness-making workshops.
Thanks to your support, many additional working donkeys have a chance at a better life.
