Un’bray’kable bond: Farmer adopts 10 rescued donkeys
The Kloof and Highway SPCA still has nine donkeys in need of their forever homes.
TEN of the 36 donkeys, that were recently rescued from the illegal donkey skin trade market and taken in and cared for by the Kloof and Highway SPCA, were adopted by a caring Durban farmer, Richard Haigh.
The owner of Enaleni Farm, a 10ha agro-ecological farm jut outside of Camperdown, noted he wanted to adopt the gentle animals as the species is under threat, globally.
“The price of them has really started to skyrocket as the market for donkey-hide gelatin is insatiable and the supply is unable to match its demand. What I want to do is raise the profile on donkeys in a meaningful way as they make up only a handful of domesticated African species. Their descendants are the wild ass, which are critically endangered. While this group is not endangered, there is an increasing pressure,” noted Haigh.
“I have had two rescue donkeys before and I really want to create awareness about not only their vulnerability but also the contributions they have made to worldwide development and rural livelihoods. Donkeys are very stoic and anyone wishing to come and visit the farm to meet the donkeys is more than welcome,” he said.
The small herd he adopted comes from a larger group of 99 donkeys that were destined for slaughter and stopped near Mooi River by its local SPCA.
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The donkeys had severe external parasite infections as well as open wounds and were placed under the care of the NSPCA. Arrangements were made for 36 mother and baby donkeys to be taken to Kloof and Highway SPCA and the remaining donkeys were transported to the Johannesburg SPCA.
The Kloof and Highway SPCA quickly issued an appeal to its supporters for food, medication and supplies to build stables for the 36 animals. The local NPO was overwhelmed by the positive response and the first of two stables was officially opened on Monday, 12 April. Construction for the second set of stables will begin in the next few weeks.
One foal collapsed from exhaustion just after it arrived at the local NPO and was put on a drip overnight and made a full recovery. Another foal passed away a few days after it was taken in. It suffered from a seizure. A blood smear revealed the foal had Babesia, which was caused by a severe tick infestation. A second foal passed away in early April.
“Sadly, the foal was weak during the morning and lying down. When our clinic team checked it, they immediately inserted a drip. Unfortunately, later that afternoon, the foals breathing was very shallow and it passed away while we were with it. The blood tests were inconclusive, but the symptoms indicated an infection,” said the Kloof and Highway SPCA’s manager, Barbara Patrick.
While 10 were recently adopted and have since been moved to their new home, the Kloof and Highway SPCA is currently busy with the pre-homes and adoptions for another 14 donkeys, while nine other donkeys are still in need of a home.
“Thankfully, our community is still contributing to their food and medical supplies, which helps. Volunteers come and help us with the cleaning, which is a big job daily. We also love seeing visitors who come and bring treats for the donkeys too,” said Patrick.
Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting
