AWARE Rural Mobile Donkey Clinics to Vaccinate 35,000 Donkeys in Zimbabwe
The following is an article by Sifelani Tsiko for allafrica.com
A local non-Governmental organisation says it is targeting to provide free clinical treatment and care to 35 000 donkeys countrywide. Donkeys have grown to be Zimbabwe’s working animals that offer important support for the lives and livelihoods of rural communities.
Animal and Wildlife Area Research and Rehabilitation (AWARE) director, Dr Keith Dutlow said the programme was part of efforts to provide treatment and care to the animals.
He was speaking at an event to open an education centre for children at the Lion and Cheetah Park in the capital.
“Last year, we treated about 28 000 donkeys in all the country’s 10 provinces and this year we are targeting to treat 35 000 donkeys,” said the animal rights lobbyist and wildlife veterinarian.
“It’s an opportunity to examine each donkey that comes to us for health checks. Sometimes owners are not aware that their animals are sick. Half the times they are not aware and this will certainly give us an opportunity to treat all animals.”
Zimbabwe has a donkey population of more than 150 000.
The population of donkeys is probably an under estimate, and Dr Dutlow said Zimbabwe needs to conduct a survey to ascertain the numbers and help provide information that is critical for the treatment and care of the ‘beast of burden.’
“A survey has not been done for decades and we need to do it now to help us plan and enhance our treatment and care of the donkeys,” he said.
The prominent veterinarian has been part of a passionate group of wildlife experts trying to save Zimbabwe’s animals.
“Donkeys have huge benefits for our rural communities and economies. Good protection and care of donkeys means more benefits for our communities and their livelihoods.”
The Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad (SPANA) is providing funding support to AWARE to provide free veterinary treatment for donkeys in areas such as Buhera, Chipinge, Beit Bridge, Chivi, Gokwe, Gweru, Muzarabani and other rural districts.
AWARE rural mobile donkey clinics will provide veterinary care, dental care, hoof trimming, wound treatment and de-worming, as well as instruction on proper handling techniques and care of the animals.
Donkeys in most parts of Zimbabwe are vital to the livelihood of their owners, carrying supplies and providing transportation and farming support.
“Our initial assessment of the donkey population revealed a complete lack of preventive healthcare such as vaccinations and de-worming,” said Dr Erick Mutizhe, a senior vet for the SPANA Zimbabwe programme.