donkeys

Donkeys adopt Springbok

/ animaldefendersinternational / Leave a comment

The ADI Wildlife Sanctuary recently took in young Springbok rescued after being injured and chased to exhaustion by hunters with dogs.

We had expected her to join the other antelope that freely roam our 455-acre sanctuary in South Africa. However, she has been welcomed into our family of donkeys rescued last year after being abandoned at a tourist lodge that closed.

Two of the donkeys were pregnant when they arrived and so two baby donkeys, Nugget and Eeyore, have since been born at ADIWS bringing the herd to eight.

During cold nights the adult donkeys gather around the youngsters and springbok to keep them warm. The donkeys wander wherever they please on the sanctuary and are incredibly inquisitive, often coming up to look into the windows of the houses.

Happy World Donkey Day

/ animaldefendersinternational / Leave a comment

Today we celebrate our beloved donkeys at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary, rescued after being left behind at an abandoned holiday lodge in South Africa. Two of the six donkeys were pregnant when they arrived and so babies Nugget and Eeyore joined us too. The peaceful herd roams all over the 455 acre sanctuary.

Please also spare a thought for the donkeys that are not so lucky – used and abused as beasts of burden globally for centuries due to their stoic nature. Some break down through sheer overwork and neglect. So let’s celebrate these beautiful, inquisitive animal and work for a better world for them.

Help care for our donkey family and other rescued domestic animals. Donate here

Continue reading →

Growing up at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary

/ animaldefendersinternational / Leave a comment

Our herd of donkeys arrived at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary in May after they were abandoned at a holiday lodge that closed. A donkey pregnancy can last up to 14 months and so our family has grown from 6 to 8 with the births of a little boy Nugget (in December) and little girl Eeyore (in February). The donkeys roam freely around several hundred acres of the sanctuary, sometimes they will be seen way in the distance up on the hillside and the next peering in the windows where you are working, or nonchalantly grazing alongside one of the lion or tiger habitats. They move as one and even wander through the barns and staff village if doors are left open. Nugget and the very playful (unlike her storybook namesake) Eeyore have a safe, peaceful home to grow up in together. They have their whole lives ahead of them – please help support their care. Donate here

Continue reading →

Nugget has a new playmate!

/ animaldefendersinternational / Leave a comment

We were all sure there was a hidden passenger with one of the females when the donkeys arrived at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary, then joy all around, with the arrival of Nugget (a donkey pregnancy can last up to 14 months!).

And recently, we had another new arrival ahead of Valentine’s Day, nicknamed Eeyore because of their floppy ears. We won’t be able to see whether Eeyore is a male or female for a couple of weeks.

Continue reading →

Festive treats for rescued animals

/ animaldefendersinternational / Leave a comment

We’d like to start with news of a new addition to our ADI Wildlife Sanctuary in time for Christmas. One of our family of donkeys has given birth to a beautiful foal. She has been checked by the veterinarian and is doing well.

The donkeys came to the sanctuary in May after being abandoned at a holiday lodge which had closed. ADIWS does not allow breeding, so Christopher the male was neutered on arrival. However, nobody knew the status of the females, and a donkey pregnancy can last up to 14 months! We did suspect that one female looked rather round and are delighted to welcome a new baby to the donkey family, being called Nugget.

Continue reading →

Freedom for a family of donkeys

/ animaldefendersinternational / Leave a comment

A family of six donkeys, one male, three females and two foals, that were abandoned when a tourist lodge went into administration, are starting a new life at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary (ADIWS), South Africa. Our friends at the SPCA Bloemfontein asked if we could help and when we said “Yes”, brought them straight to ADIWS to ensure they would not be killed by poachers. They are currently in a four-acre enclosure while we settle them in, but will eventually be able to roam freely around the sanctuary – they will not be allowed to breed. Enjoy their first steps to a new life.