Severe flooding in the Karoo has placed the Karoo Donkey Sanctuary under pressure as emergency teams work to protect rescued animals and damaged infrastructure.
Karoo Donkey Sanctuary is facing a major flood emergency after severe storms caused extensive damage across the sanctuary in the De Rust region of the Karoo.
The flooding comes just two months after the sanctuary battled crippling drought conditions, highlighting the growing environmental pressures affecting vulnerable animal welfare organisations across South Africa.
According to the sanctuary, the area received 62 mm of rain within 24 hours — nearly a quarter of its average annual rainfall — triggering dangerous flooding across the property.
The South African Weather Service issued a Level 8 severe weather warning as floodwaters surged through the sanctuary grounds and surrounding areas.
Despite the dangerous conditions, all rescued animals at the sanctuary remain safe. However, the situation remains critical as river levels continue rising and emergency teams work to stabilise affected sections of the property.
Floodwaters have uprooted trees, damaged fencing and swept through grazing areas, placing significant strain on rescue operations and infrastructure.
Emergency teams are currently working around the clock to reinforce shelters, dig trenches, secure vulnerable areas and carry out urgent repairs while heavy rain continues across the region.
According to Jonno Sherwin, public support is urgently needed to help the organisation maintain operations and protect the rescued animals during the ongoing crisis.
The sanctuary is appealing for emergency donations to assist with shelter protection, fencing repairs, emergency feed supplies, veterinary care and operational support for rescue teams responding to the flooding.
The appeal coincides with World Donkey Day 2026 and also highlights the sanctuary’s broader work rescuing and rehabilitating vulnerable animals across South Africa.
Among the sanctuary’s recent rescues is Bahati, a donkey rescued in Limpopo earlier this year after surviving a near-fatal wildlife encounter.
Since 2015, the Karoo Donkey Sanctuary has focused on animal rescue, rehabilitation, advocacy and long-term care for abused and vulnerable donkeys and farm animals.
As severe weather events continue affecting communities, infrastructure and animal welfare organisations across the country, the sanctuary’s appeal also highlights the growing impact climate-related events are having on rescue and humanitarian operations in rural South Africa.
