Fluorescent bands protect Zimbabwe donkeys
Fewer donkeys have been injured or killed since fitting the bands.
An initiative from World Horse Welfare has protected the welfare of thousands of donkeys in Zimbabwe.
The donkeys have been fitted with fluorescent collars, designed to reduce the danger and injury they face on the roads at night.
In partnership with Veterinarians for Animal Welfare Zimbabwe (VAWZ), World Horse Welfare has been working with remote communities in Zimbabwe. For these places, donkeys act as vital forms of transport for water, firewood, goods and people.
The initiative has been launched in the border town of Beitbridge, which is located between Zimbabwe and South Africa.
In Beitbridge, the donkeys roam free in their herds rather than living in protected fields. This leaves them vulnerable to road traffic accidents.
Those working on the project decided to fit fluorescent bands around the donkeys’ necks as a safety measure. The simple, low-cost bands make the donkeys more visible to drivers.
The charity says that, as a result of the bands, nighttime road traffic accidents have reduced and fewer donkeys had been injured or killed.
Faye Al-Nakeeb, international programme officer, said: “Last year, more than 10,000 donkeys were given fluorescent bands in the Beitbridge area of Zimbabwe through our project with VAWZ. This straightforward measure has improved visibility on the roads at night, and communities have reported a reduction in road accidents involving donkeys.
“The initiative represents a practical step toward improving the safety and welfare of these stoic animals, which play an important role in supporting their owners’ livelihoods. It is one of several ways the project aims to support both the animals and the communities that depend on them.”
Image © World Horse Welfare
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