New Tanzanian Project to Reach Donkeys in Need

Another new project that Animal Aid Abroad has taken on this year is a mobile veterinary clinic and community educational program focusing on working donkeys in the Butiama District of Tanzania. This project is being run by the Lake Zone Animal Welfare Organisation (LAZAWO), which plans to implement the program over the coming year.

The Butiama District is located in the Mara region of Northern Tanzania. Approximately 4623 donkeys live and work in Butaima. The donkeys work in a range of locations, including mines, markets, forests, farms, kilns and households. The work they do changes according to the season. Unfortunately, most donkey owners here use ox yoke carts, which are inappropriate for donkeys. Abuse towards donkeys is rife in Butiama. They receive no treatment when they are sick and are often left to die without any intervention. Donkeys here suffer from worm infestation, life-threatening illnesses and injuries but they are not cared for in the same way cattle are. Overall, there is little awareness of donkey welfare in Butiama.

This new project is helping to alleviate the suffering of donkeys in this region via veterinary care and public education. Its dual purpose is to improve individual animal health and wellbeing as well as educate the community on animal welfare. Education encompasses the needs of donkeys, practical skills and basic veterinary care. It focuses on the Five Freedoms model of animal welfare, including an animal’s right to be free from hunger and thirst, discomfort, pain, injury and disease, along with the freedom to express natural behaviour and be free from fear and distress. Educational efforts are incorporating posters and leaflets distributed by the mobile veterinary clinic, as well as cultural dances and songs with messages related to donkeys’ basic needs.

LAZAWO expect to reach 1000 donkeys initially to complete primary veterinary care, such as deworming and wound dressing. They hope to educate at least 350 donkey owners and to involve 30 other stakeholders in improving the management and welfare of donkeys, including local leaders and health service providers. Additionally, LAZAWO have commenced a new humane cart program, incorporating training on how to fit harnesses properly and fix carts so they are suitable for working donkeys. They are hoping to train local community members and vets in donkey welfare and correct harnessing, so that they will eventually be able to take over this responsibility.

This new project is increasing community awareness of donkey welfare in the Butiama District, hopefully leading to donkeys being treated more respectfully over time. LAZAWO expect their new programs will reduce the number of wounds seen in donkeys, improve the animals’ body and skin conditions, decrease donkey mortality and enhance their quality of life. Animal Aid Abroad are proud to be supporting this wonderful new project in Butiama, Tanzania, which is already improving the lives of working donkeys in this region.