You can help Mali’s working donkeys this World Donkey Day
In Bamako, where there is no official waste collection, donkeys like Kofi are the city’s rubbish collectors.
They carry rubbish from neighbourhoods through hazardous waste dumps, often scraping their legs on broken glass and sharp metal. Mali is one of the world’s poorest countries – pressures on people to earn a living means these donkeys don’t get to stop, they are often starving due to lack of food and are forced to eat plastic and rotting waste.
Each step they take is a battle. Each hour they work, their bodies weaken. These donkeys are the backbone of the city’s waste management, but they are also suffering. They are desperate for rest and food.
Every day, they endure crushing loads, injuries, and exhaustion.
Some donkeys, like Kofi, scavenge plastic bags to survive, putting them at risk of deadly injuries or even death.
SPANA provides urgent medical care, but the situation is dire. Last year, we treated over 29,000 donkeys in Mali, but we need more help to provide care and training for both animals and their owners.
On World Donkey Day, we’re reminded of the urgent need to protect these incredible animals.
These donkeys can’t ask for help, but you can.
