https://www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/what-we-do/where-we-work/asia
Despite temperatures climbing steadily towards 30°C, it’s all systems go at our Town Barton Farm, which is nestled on the edge of Dartmoor National Park in Devon.
The farm is currently in the grips of a heatwave that has affe100 donkeys cted vast swathes of the country. However, with more than 100 donkeys and mules to care for, the team at Town Barton can’t afford to rest.
Instead, clever thinking and innovation has helped the grooms keep the long-eared residents of Town Barton cool and comfortable.
Groom Aby Colemon-Chalet says: “We have seen that some of our donkeys have really been struggling with the humidity, more so than others. If they were living in their native Africa, the heat would be a lot drier.”
Aside from the lethargy-inducing heat, flying pests have been a prevalent issue at Town Barton, especially for a pair of donkeys who react badly to their bites.
One of these donkeys, 25-year-old Peter, is prone to scabbing on his legs when he is bitten.
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To help prevent his legs from becoming sore, the Town Barton team have adopted a novel trick that has seen success at Paccombe Farm in Devon and our European sanctuaries.
Peter now wears snazzy leggings on all four legs, which reduces the amount of fly bites.
They also help the team localise treatment and prevention on any areas of his legs that are uncovered.
Beating the heat
With the pests handled, the team at Town Barton have explored fresh methods to tackle the main culprit affecting the farm’s donkeys – the heat.
It is a constant source of discomfort, and with this most recent drought threatening to span into next week, the grooms are experimenting with ways to keep their animals cool.
Aby says: “We have set up a shallow pool at Top Barn and fill it with water every day. When it becomes very hot, the mules will stand in the water to cool down.
We also use the pool for enrichment. We have infused the water with tea and herbs – and even the occasional ginger snap, which they love! Sometimes, we use just plain salt to flavour the water, as it helps with hydration while offering a different taste.”
Most recently, the team at Town Barton implemented an elevated sprinkler system in the yard. Though not sophisticated – the sprinklers are securely tied up high with baler twine – it has proved effective!
“At first, we placed the sprinklers on the floor and attached them to a hosepipe,” Aby adds. “We noticed that the donkeys seemed confused at why water was coming up from the floor, so they didn’t approach the sprinklers.
“One of our grooms then tied up the sprinklers to simulate rain which, as they live in England, the donkeys are more used to! With some food placed under the sprinklers, it didn’t take long for them to approach and enjoy the water.
“Us grooms have also stood under them when we get too hot, so we’re all enjoying them!”
The donkeys at Town Barton are at their happiest when the sun finally makes way for nighttime.
Under the moon, they are given freedom to roam the paddocks and graze in the cool winds that blow across the farm.
“While the donkeys have access to three barns that are connected in the day, it actually benefits them more to graze at night,” Aby says. “The heat is less, but there are also less sugars in the grass.
“I do think these donkeys are lucky to be here when we face extreme weather like this. We have a really good team at Town Barton, and we are doing our best to ensure that they remain comfortable.
“The donkeys are getting used to the heat as well. We have been grooming out their winter coats and have been given them plenty of ice licks.
“What’s great is we can all be here for them. In January, when the storms hit, some of our staff couldn’t drive to the farm because of floods.
“This time, everyone is on site to help make them comfortable.”
End the donkey skin trade
At least 5.9 million donkeys are slaughtered for their skins every year.
The collagen from their skin produces ejiao, a traditional Chinese medicine. China’s domestic donkey population has collapsed, so, the ejiao industry has shifted to a global trade network to source its donkey skin to continue meeting demand. With such intense demand, skin traders look for a supply at any cost.
From source to slaughter, the donkeys who get caught up in this trade suffer at every stage. Donkeys die in often unregulated, inhumane, and unsanitary conditions, and large numbers perish on their way to slaughterhouses.
Communities who depend on their donkeys to help provide them with a livelihood wake up to find their donkeys stolen, slaughtered, and skinned during the night. Families are losing donkeys that mean so much to them. Lives and opportunities are destroyed.
The transportation of untreated skins and improper disposal of donkey carcasses risk triggering the spread of infectious diseases and damaging local ecosystems. The Donkey Sanctuary has evidence that criminals are exploiting the skin trade and are smuggling and selling illegal products alongside donkey skins.
https://www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/what-we-do/end-the-donkey-skin-trade
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