This World Donkey Day, we’re shining a light on Mali’s hardworking rubbish dump donkeys.
Belima is one of hundreds of donkeys who work on the notorious rubbish dumps of Bamako, Mali’s capital city. The city lacks formal waste removal, so donkeys and carts are used to transport waste from neighbourhoods to dumping sites.
The dumps are piled high with mountains of rubbish – they’re an extremely dangerous working environment for both animals and people.
The working donkeys at these sites are looked after by SPANA. Our veterinary teams in Mali regularly visit the dumps in our mobile veterinary clinic. They provide often lifesaving medical care for donkeys, and training for their owners.
Conditions at the dumps are extremely challenging. The working donkeys are at constant risk of injury because the mountains of rubbish are littered with shards of glass, scraps of metal and rotting waste. As a result, the donkeys suffer from injuries, digestive issues and wounds caused by poorly fitted harnesses, as well as respiratory problems and eye conditions.
Belima’s owner, Issa, brought his donkey to our mobile clinic at the Garantibougou dump because he was concerned about some small red spots that had developed around her eye.
Our vets checked Belima and diagnosed the small spots as insect bites. They administered an anti-parasite treatment to tackle the problem and gave Belima a full check-up. The eight-year-old donkey was given a clean bill of health and the vets acknowledged Issa for looking after her so well.
Issa said: ‘Thank you, SPANA. If I didn’t have my donkey, I wouldn’t be able to work.’
Mali’s waste crisis illustrates the interdependency between the health of animals, people and the environment, as unmanaged waste has a devastating impact on all three areas. This interconnection is a globally endorsed concept known as One Health. At SPANA, one of our key goals is to ensure that working animals thrive, as part of the nexus of animals, people and the environment.
Thanks to the kindness of our supporters, our veterinary teams around the world were able to help over 265,000 working donkeys in 2024. These donkeys are crucial to the welfare and livelihood of communities. They plough fields, carry vital supplies and help children get to school. In times of emergency, they also help reach people and communities in remote and difficult conditions. Sadly, their work is largely overlooked and undervalued. At SPANA, we’re ensuring that working donkeys receive the recognition they deserve.
Please help us to give this recognition to the working donkeys in Mali’s rubbish dumps who urgently need help. By donating today, you can ensure they are provided with the lifesaving medication and veterinary care they need. Thank you for your support.
