Another 250 Tanzanian Donkeys Saved!
In further good news regarding our gigantic rescue mission following the closure of a donkey skin abattoir in Shinyanga, our partner group, Tanzania Humane Charity (TAHUCHA), have discovered and rescued a further 250 donkeys! The team found these animals hidden away by a donkey skin trader, abandoned in muddy enclosures and at risk of starvation and disease.
Thankfully, TAHUCHA have now rescued these donkeys from the mud and relocated them to drier grounds. These animals included pregnant, sick, weak or starving donkeys and young foals. Following rescue, the team provided them with life-saving water, food and veterinary treatment. TAHUCHA are pleased with the current progress of these donkeys.
The donkeys were relocated to drier grounds.
Feeding the starving donkeys.
Along with this fantastic rescue, TAHUCHA assisted an additional 256 donkeys, who were found abandoned on the outskirts of Shinyanga, by providing veterinary treatment as required and relocating them to grazing land, which TAHUCHA hired especially for these donkeys.
256 donkeys being relocated…
The donkeys happily grazing on land hired by TAHUCHA.
In addition to undertaking this huge rescue mission, the incredible TAHUCHA team have also been running their ongoing programs for working donkeys in the Geita region of north west Tanzania. In this area, donkeys are still heavily relied upon for people’s livelihoods and provide a direct source of income for many households. However, despite their important social and economic roles, donkeys are all-too-frequently disregarded or treated inhumanely. With support from AAA, TAHUCHA are working non-stop to provide veterinary treatment and humane education in order to save the lives of donkeys and alleviate their pain and suffering.
During March, TAHUCHA visited eight villages across four wards of the Bukombe District with their mobile clinic and reached 398 working donkeys. Primarily, they addressed wounds and pain caused by inappropriate ox-yokes, overwork, overloading and beatings. The veterinary team also treated donkeys for various illnesses and conditions, including tetanus, colic, abscesses, haematomas, lameness due to tendon exhaustion and hoof issues.
At the TAHUCHA sanctuary, 67 donkeys were taken in during March and given intensive treatment and care. Most recovered in one to two weeks and were able to return to their owners, however, four will remain safely at TAHUCHA’s sanctuary.
Educating owners on the humane treatment and handling of donkeys remains a core element of TAHUCHA’s programs and, during March, they provided humane education for 33 owners.
TAHUCHA are also training three volunteers, to enable them to educate community groups in the areas of fitting humane harnesses, identifying wounds that require veterinary attention and recognising symptoms of illness. These volunteers will extend the reach of TAHUCHA’s work and further improve the welfare of working donkeys in these communities.
TAHUCHA have expressed their gratitude to AAA for helping them improve the lives of working donkeys in the Bukombe and Geita regions and for allowing them to begin reaching further districts and even more donkeys in need.
