Karoo Donkey Sanctuary has rescued 32 vulnerable donkeys from Wupperthal, providing lifelong protection while beginning rehabilitation and urgent veterinary care for the rescued Cederberg herd.
The complex rescue operation brought the free-roaming animals out of Wupperthal, deep in the Cederberg Mountains of the Western Cape, after the Sanctuary was alerted to a herd of 40 donkeys that had been rounded up by members of the local community.
The intervention carries particular significance in a region where donkeys have played an important role for generations. Founded in 1830 as South Africa’s first Rhenish mission station and later entrusted to the Moravian Church, Wupperthal relied historically on donkeys to transport people and produce through its rugged mountain terrain.
Once the animals had been contained, however, their future was uncertain.
Karoo Donkey Sanctuary believed the herd could potentially be at risk from buyers sourcing animals for commercial slaughter and the donkey-skin trade and began planning an urgent intervention.
When the team arrived in Wupperthal, several animals were visibly underweight. The herd included mares with young foals, while some of the mares may also be pregnant. There were also 18 intact stallions.
“What we discovered in this remote mountain valley was deeply concerning,” said Jonno Sherwin, Founder and CEO of Karoo Donkey Sanctuary. “We could not simply turn our backs on this fragile herd. We had to help.”
Donkey welfare organisations have raised concerns about threats including neglect, commercial slaughter and demand for donkey hides, which are used to produce ejiao, a traditional Chinese product made using collagen extracted from donkey skins.
For the Sanctuary, providing lifelong protection means the rescued animals cannot subsequently be sold into these markets.
“By bringing them into sanctuary, we are not only saving individual lives,” said Sherwin. “We are ensuring that these donkeys will never be sold, slaughtered or reduced to the value of their skins.”
The operation required specialist transport and coordination, with assistance provided by the Clanwilliam Animal Welfare Society and New Turf Carriers.
When the team arrived at sunrise on Saturday, 12 September to collect the herd, eight of the original 40 donkeys had disappeared during the night.
“Those eight donkeys have not been forgotten,” Sherwin said. “However, given the considerable logistical complexities of returning to such a remote area and undertaking another rescue operation, any plans to go back for them are currently on hold.”
The remaining 32 animals were transported for approximately three hours to Clanwilliam before being transferred onto specialist equine transporters for the next stage of their journey.
After approximately 14 hours in transit, the herd arrived safely at Karoo Donkey Sanctuary at around 9pm on Saturday.
Their shelter had been prepared before their arrival, allowing carers to begin settling the animals and assessing their immediate welfare needs.
The following morning, the donkeys were able to graze and explore their new surroundings as they began adjusting to life at the Sanctuary.
“It is an enormous relief to know that, after all the planning and hard work, these 32 donkeys are safely in our care,” said Sherwin.
The rescue now moves into its next phase, with the Sanctuary seeking R63,000 to fund a gelding clinic for the herd’s 18 intact stallions.
Each procedure is expected to cost R3,500. Gelding the stallions will prevent further breeding and help the Sanctuary manage the rescued herd safely and responsibly.
“A donation of R3,500 will cover the gelding of one stallion, but every contribution, regardless of its size, will take us closer to our R63,000 target,” said Sherwin.
Members of the public can make once-off contributions towards the veterinary procedures or become monthly supporters through the Sanctuary’s Long Ears Club.
“We wish to thank every person who assisted with this rescue, everyone who has already donated and all those who offered messages of support,” said Sherwin.
“The Karoo Donkey Sanctuary exists because of the supporters and donors who make this work possible.”
Karoo Donkey Sanctuary provides rescue, rehabilitation and lifelong sanctuary for donkeys and other farmed animals, while advocating for improved donkey welfare and campaigning against the donkey-skin trade.
