GEORGE NEWS & VIDEO - The unfolding stories of cruelty to donkeys taking place in the northern provinces of South Africa, as highlighted on social media, spurred two Glenwood House learners into action.
Head girl Amber Bird, chairperson of the school's Environment Society, and animal rights activist Johan Wahl stepped in to lend a hand with the massive donkey rescue program taking place at the Karoo Donkey Sanctuary in Prince Albert.
13 March, Glenwood House learners and staff raised nearly R7 000 for the sanctuary when six learners and two teachers were auctioned and sold to the highest bidder for a 'day's hard labour' in an entertaining comical donkey auction.
Jonno Sherwin, founder of the sanctuary that bought 233 condemned donkeys in Hartswater in January after initiating crowd funding on Facebook, clarified the plight of the donkeys to the learners.
An incorrect belief that the gelatine in donkey skins has medicinal properties, has created a growing demand for skins in China, boosting prices offered for skins. In South Africa this, coupled with a lack of formal infrastructure to slaughter donkeys, has resulted in donkeys being stolen and brutally killed, sometimes even skinned alive.
Members of the Glenwood Environment society will visit the sanctuary in April to assist in the new donkey crèche and are selling bracelets at R40 each to raise funds for the project as well as the local Barnyard Donkey Sanctuary on the George airport road. Learners from York High School's Animal Club also attended the Glenwood House assembly.
The public is requested to report any stolen donkeys or places where they are being slaughtered. Either approach the George branch of the Garden Route SPCA (044 878 1990) or the NSPCA: nspca@nspca.co.za. Your name will remain confidential. For more information, contact Clare van Rensburg, coordinator of the Glenwood House Environment Society on 044 871 4048 or claremcauliffe@email.com and visit Karoo Donkey Sanctuary on www.karoodonkeysanctuary.org.za or contact the sanctuary direct on love@karoodonkeysanctuary.org.za
Watch 2 videos below.
Johan Wahl (left) and Amber Bird (second from right) are the driving behind the Glenwood House donkey drive. With them is Jonno Sherwin (second from left) founder of the Karoo Donkey Sanctuary and Clare van Rensburg, coordinator of the Glenwood House Environment Society. Photo: Myron Rabinowitz
VIDEOS & PHOTOS: MYRON RABINOWITZ, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST
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