Farewell to Jubilee

It is with sadness that we announce the death of Jubilee, a very much loved mule. For many years, she lived at Shelter 4 in the main grounds of the Sanctuary before moving down to Hurfords, which is part of Trow Farm. She had a huge fan club of visitors and stood out from the herd as she was the largest mule in the UK.

Annie Brown, our General Farms Manager, has written the following tribute:

Jubilee was at the Sanctuary when I joined in August 1991 and was part of the show team who attended county shows in Devon and Cornwall promoting the work of the Sanctuary. She also made appearances at Slade House Farm for events such as Festival and Donkey week.

Jubilee had been ridden before she came to the Sanctuary and Tracey Warren, one of grooms, used to keep her exercised. At one time we planned to have a demonstration of the work that donkeys and mules can do at the county shows and we spent some time preparing Jubilee to be ridden side-saddle as part of this display. However she was a bit unpredictable and we decided that she should carry panniers on her back instead!

Jubilee used to be able to identify a vet at 100 yards and our grooms used to spend many hours dressed as vets (with green sweatshirts, rubber gloves and stethoscopes on) de-sensitising her ... she did eventually get used to the the vet being around!

Kelly Gibbs, one of the grooms at Hurfords, looked after her for many years and lavished love and attention on both Jubilee and her friend Sable.

Many visitors to the Sanctuary and supporters will know Jubilee and she will sadly be missed by us all.