Who will speak for the beast of burden?

May 8 was World Donkey Day, a celebration of the important role the donkey plays in rural and urban communities worldwide. 

The day also serves to raise awareness of the welfare of the donkey, which is perpetually subjected to abuse.

Initially, it was the treatment in the course of its daily duties to man, and recently it has been the uncontrolled, inhumane slaughter of donkeys worldwide, fuelled by demand for their skin.

A carrier of burdens; a bearer of abuse?

Donkeys’ usefulness is especially pronounced in rural areas, where women are burdened by the daily chores of caring for the family.

Here, donkeys offer unconditional support, carrying burdens that would otherwise weigh down our hard-working mothers.

At the same time, the donkey works in rough terrains that can easily strain and inflict considerable suffering on its body.

Long hours of work can also deny the donkey enough time to eat, play, and enjoy life, as all living beings should.

Last month, I had the privilege of visiting Lamu Island. Among the unique features of the archipelago is the donkey.

The islands’ narrow streets and few vehicles, if any, for a long time have given the donkey a special place as a means of transport for both people and goods.

So intertwined are its socio-cultural fibres that the inhabitants have held donkey races in honour of this great animal.

But a closer look quickly reveals many instances of abuse of the donkey’s welfare.

The donkeys are still overloaded with burdens beyond their capacity and whipped to walk faster, and the gaping wounds are a sad sight.

These observations are replicated in all communities where the donkeys are kept, but there is a role we can play to safeguard the welfare of this gem of an animal.

But why should donkey welfare matter to us?

Five freedoms

Not just donkey welfare; animal welfare is important.

Animals are living beings, just like you and me. They experience pain and are emotional.

The five freedoms have been recognised as essentials in ensuring the comfort of animals.

They are internationally recognised standards of animal welfare established to ensure both the mental and physical well-being of animals under human care.

The freedoms include freedom from hunger/thirst, discomfort, pain/disease, fear/distress, and the freedom to express normal behaviour.

In addition, studies have shown that societies that prioritise animal welfare also score highly in how they care for fellow human beings.

Animal welfare, therefore, directly contributes to human welfare. It is a moral requirement that an animal that gives you milk, meat or eggs should be treated well.

Can we all speak for the donkey? As we celebrate World Donkey Day, we should take it upon ourselves to protect donkey welfare by promoting good care, respect, and humane treatment of working donkeys.

We can all recognise the great contributions of working donkeys.

Organisations such as the Donkey Sanctuary, headed by Dr Solomon Onyango, and Brooke East Africa, headed by Dr Raphael Kinoti, have been vocal in defending donkey welfare in Kenya.

But their voices are not enough; we need to join them in singing the donkey welfare chorus until it sinks deep into the ears of everyone that donkeys deserve better living conditions, good feed, and a good working relationship.

[Dr Othieno is a veterinary surgeon and the head of communications at the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) Kenya. The views expressed here are not necessarily those of FAO but his]