ONKEYS for FRICA DPromoting communication about donkey welfare www.donkeysforafrica.orgA ISSUE 23 - DECEMBER 2020 A road towards sustainable change Image: The Donkey Sanctuary Animal welfare workers know that it can be relatively simple to intervene, but much harder to convince owners of donkeys to adopt a lasting solution. Donkeys for Africa asked two organisations based business skills, money management, humane education, donkey in South Africa what tactics are effective in getting traction for food security and the Powerset harnessing and commitment from donkey owners. hitching system. Training takes up to six months or longer They work in vastly different conditions: Cart Horse to complete and they continue to visit the villages to mentor Protection Association (CHPA) has been in existence for 25 donkey owners for a year or so thereafter. years, working mainly in the metropole of Cape Town where they monitor and provide support to people making a living by In the Business Skills component they highlight that the hauling scrap metal and other refuse with equine-powered carts. donkeys and equipment are business assets and it is good amaTrac Uluntu was established in 2012 and has made a business practice to make sure they are cared for. The ‘buy-in’ major impact in the rural Peddie area in the Eastern Cape. comes when owners realise this and that they and their donkeys are also assets to the community. Both organisations agree that the key to success lies in the manner of engagement with the animals’ owners. Mutual trust They explain: “We discuss the work they do for their leads to open communication. CHPA explained that getting communities and they begin to realise how important they to know the carties and taking an interest in their family and and their donkeys are in the community. We mostly let them personal situation, as well as the challenges they face in their talk. We also commend them on anything we find that is community, builds relationships and trust. CHPA provides for commendable. This gives them confidence and builds the bridge every aspect of their equids’ welfare so there is no excuse for where we can develop mutual trust and open communication.” poor welfare and abuse. They told us “What is good for one is good for all. This is critical. We do not bend the rules for There is no quick fix good or better owners and drivers. Consistency and regular There are no instant solutions. The secret always lies in respect, interaction are important.” Further essential components are: open communication leading to trust, and making sure that the “Be fair, and crucially, amidst all the challenges, remember to benefits of practices are clear and understood. If we expect enjoy what you are doing for the benefit of equines all over.” people to change their ways they must see that it is worth the effort. amaTrac Uluntu aims to uplift the status of donkey owners and donkey interactions in villages. They present donkey https://carthorse.org.za welfare in a holistic training programme that includes basic https://amatrac.wixsite.com/amatraculuntu INSIDE: DONKEY WELFARE SYMPOSIUM 2020 conference feedback and extracts for the love of donkeys everywhere DONKEYS for AFRICA DECEMBER 2020 Pg 1 DONKEYS for AFRICA | PROFILES Some donkey welfare organisations who achieve results against big odds: The Last Hope Community Based Organisation Amos Supeet and Nicholas Mungiria are trained in harnessing, community development and management, animal health assistance and training of trainers. Tanzania Animal Welfare Society (TAWESO) They report: “We have engaged with the community in Kajiando towards the closure of donkey slaughterhouses in Tanzania Animal Welfare Society implemented a small Naivasha and Mogotio, trained community donkey users on project on donkey welfare in the Bujashi ward in Magu harnessing in Tanzania, trained higher education students in district in Mwanza region around Lake Victoria. The project Mombasa on donkey welfare and engaged women groups in was based on pack saddle making and involved donkey Naivasha on donkey welfare on several occasions. owners and Local Government Officials (Livestock officers If we can address and Village Executive Officers) in the area. The donkey harnessing related owners’ groups selected their leaders and were linked to issues we can improve Government Authorities in the area. 75% of the welfare of The donkey owners will continue to make pack saddle working donkeys. Our harnesses and use them properly as trained. This will have a work is to promote big welfare impact on the donkeys. donkey welfare through educating donkey The project has been well received and there are many users and owners on requests for presenting it to other donkey owners and Local harnessing, handling, Government Authorities in Magu district in Mwanza region donkey behaviour around Lake Victoria. There are over 35 donkey owners’ and general donkey groups in this district. Vital cart building advice and training. welfare.” www.taweso.org www.facebook.com/The-Last-Hope-CBO [email protected] [email protected] Animal Welfare Resource Centre Society This non-profit society assists donkeys in Kenya. change here is high simply because it is so easy to use and Wycliffe Khayega Gwatemba reports that they have done cheap/easy to make. Because ALL the donkeys have always harness modification, teaching that a good harness should had wounds as long as can be remembered nobody notices have breast band straps, saddle, belly band and breech straps, them.” also that the donkey cart should be in good condition so that The government veterinary officer of the area does the donkey can pull it comfortably. deworming, wound treatment and treats other diseases. He explains that “Normal harness in Kenya is just a loop Hoof trimming and related problems are then also attended to. made of rope and sacks that the donkey puts its neck through, no saddle, no breeching, no breast collar. Resistance to www.facebook.com/cicrcleoftrustdap Education about proper harnessing is essential. Pg 2 DONKEYS for AFRICA DECEMBER 2020 DONKEYS for AFRICA | DWS FEEDBACK DONKEY WELFARE SYMPOSIUM Conference feedback and extracts www.facebook.com/DonkeyWelfareSymposium for the love of donkeys everywhere Enquiries can be sent to Dr Eric Davis at [email protected] Global conference shares care for donkeys The eighth Donkey Welfare “The Donkey Welfare Symposium is a there are also dedicated people out there Symposium organised by the fantastic opportunity to share the latest who share our common goal – valuing University of California Davis took research and thinking on all things related donkeys’ nature and roles to our society; place per Zoom this year. DfA attended to donkeys.” understanding donkey facts, investing in this event and took part in this important science, raising visibility, building their virtual conference (at some late hours “If you have donkeys, protect donkeys image in society and the development due to time differences, with a lot of or are trying to change the way other arena thus restoring their innate nature coffee and chocolates consumed ...) people treat donkeys, then this welfare and value they deserve – demystifying symposium is an incredible learning negative tales and metaphors that prevail Personal interactions and networking opportunity.” in society. Sustainable welfare impact was missed, but the virtual event enabled follows recognition of their value.” many donkey carers to participate Dr Bojia Duguma from The Donkey without the challenges of travelling. Sanctuary in Ethiopia said “It is a An illustrious panel of speakers included pleasure and honour to be part of the professionals from different countries. Ben Hart, behaviourist from Donkey Welfare Symposium 2020. DfA shares some findings here in our The Donkey Sanctuary, commented: I am much encouraged to hear that report back. Purchase all talks via Vimeo https://vimeo.com/ondemand/2020dws Methods for an ethical approach to donkey and mule training Ben Hart, behaviourist at The Donkey Sanctuary www.hartshorsemanship.com This recognised practitioner presented Decide on ethical training • Not taking into account the animal’s the wider vision that is often lacking in • Consult your own moral compass: how emotional needs and responses. training. He emphasises knowledge of do you make decisions? the science of equine behaviour rather • Think beyond yourself and your own Train for the behaviour you want than a ‘one-method’ mind-set. desires or requirements. But first remove pain, check and create • The best options ethically considered the right environment and meet the Recognition and understanding of are methods that are the Least Intrusive animal’s needs. aspects of human behaviour is also and Minimally Adversive. crucial for successful and ethical training.“Taking the time to think Understanding the principles of consciously about how we treat donkeys behaviour is crucial and mules is essential in overcoming Ben’s steps in shaping behaviour are unethical training methods and handling. simple but require thought, dedication and time. Often we are in a hurry to Basing your handling methods on sound achieve a desired behaviour from our scientific principles is crucial if you want animals. Be gentle and take time, he to set out the best practises for ethical advises. handling” explains Ben. What is not ethical? https://Equitationscience.com/learning- We can all justify our own morals, and • Not treating the animal as an individual as such, we should all be able to consider