Donkey Sanctuary International improves lives of Bui donkeys

Expert intervention by International Community Partnership and the Donkey Sanctuary International Department, SID, Mouth-Devon, England, has improved the lives of donkeys in Bui Division as well as the attitudes of their owners.

“We thank Alex Mayers and his organisation for sending two veterinary workers; Njiki and Mrs. Nanga to advise on the salt and limestone given for the donkeys. Through the training provided they provided, we have witnessed a great improvement in our animals,” said Fidelis Lamfu, President of the Donkey Communities of Vekovi, Ntur and Ntottiy.

Lamfu was welcoming Alex Mayers, Education Officer of the Donkey Sanctuary International Department, SID, Mouth-Devon, England, who was recently on an eight-day visit to the donkey communities of Vekovi, Jakiri, Mbuluf, Kumbo, Njanawa-sang and Reeh, Manyu, Refemas well as Takui cattle ranch of Dr. Lewis Douglas and the Mbiame Fon’s palace.

Mayers was accompanied by the Executive President of Foundation for Animal Welfare of Cameroon, FAWCAM, Dr. Ben Fru Wara and Dr. Abandou Abraham.

Mayers thanked the various owners of donkeys for the wonderful work they are doing with the animals, and called on them to continue to work as a team with the donkeys and not to maltreat them.

Mayers noted that with the existence of FAWCAM, donkey owners have changed their cruel attitude towards the animals.

He said there is a need to work for legislation with governments across Africa for the protection of animals.

He said with the impassable roads in some areas, the donkey is a sure means to transport food from the farm to the market.

For his part, Dr. Fru Wara expressed gratitude to the International Donkey Sanctuary and said he was happy with the way the donkey owners had learned from the two veterinary experts.

Fru Wara cited the difficulties that the donkey owners face to include lack of money to purchase more donkeys, conflicts between them and cattle owners over grazing land, lack of grazing land and lack of drugs to treat sick donkeys.

Meanwhile, the donkey owners requested for barbed wire to fence off their animals.

They complained of newborn donkeys which die after two weeks.

They also said they wanted booklets to learn more about donkeys.