Africa

The International Coalition for Working Equids (ICWE) hosted an event at the United Nations Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD) in Zimbabwe last week, shining a light on the importance of working animals in developing countries.

International animal welfare charities The Donkey Sanctuary and Brooke were given a seal of approval when they took their donkey skin trade campaigns to the Queen Sofia Foundation in Madrid, Spain, last month.

The decision by the Kenyan Government to close its donkey slaughterhouses represents a decisive blow against the skin trade in the region.

Donkey slaughterhouses have long struck fear into the hearts of local Kenyans and their potential closure will come as a huge relief to those living in their shadow.

In Ethiopia, donkeys mean the world to people like Fikadu, Ayelech and their family. Ever since the arrival of a donkey slaughterhouse in their town, the family have stood resolute against the slaughtering of donkeys for their skins.

This World Food Day we are looking to donkeys like Diamond - who are loved and cherished by farmers in some of the most barren areas of Namibia.

The Donkey Sanctuary has called for an immediate halt to the trade in donkey skins at the third annual Africa Animal Welfare Conference in Ethiopia.

In Harabafta Village, Ethiopia, Samuna’s three donkeys play a pivotal role in supporting her family. The lives of the people, along with their herd of livestock, depend on the hardworking donkeys to fetch water.

When a donkey is stolen to meet the demands of the skin trade, its owners must deal with the tragic loss of a beloved and essential part of their family. The Donkey Sanctuary recently met with the former donkey owners saying "No" to slaughterhouses in Kenya.

A passion for donkey welfare shared between The Donkey Sanctuary’s founder, Dr Elisabeth Svendsen, and Dr Bojia Duguma has made a lasting impact on donkeys and mules in Ethiopia.