Safe at Last: Woodrock Rescues Donkeys After Tragic Accident

At Woodrock Animal Rescue, donkeys have a special place in our hearts.

Our co-founder Nicholas Meldau has always spoken about the deep suffering these tender-natured animals endure. In fact, from a young age he dreamt of opening a donkey sanctuary.

And while Woodrock’s journey has grown into a broader rescue mission for animals in need, donkeys are an important part of our rescue work.

Donkeys need proper care.

They need safety.

And they need love.

This truth became heartbreakingly clear recently when we were called out to assist a group of donkeys left to fend for themselves in an area that forms part of Atteridgeville, outside Pretoria.

Residents in the surrounds often alert each other when the donkeys wander onto the R511, counting heads and trying to move them to safety.

However, this time tragedy struck.

A herd had wandered onto the road, two of them killed instantly. Many others would later not make it either.

By the time we were called, a small number of frightened donkeys remained, and Nicholas and the team responded immediately, knowing that every minute matters in a rescue like this.

Donkeys are gentle, intelligent animals who feel fear and stress deeply. They are also highly social, which makes their suffering all the more heartbreaking when they are left vulnerable and without protection.

The rescue itself was not simple. A trailer had to be sourced, and the team needed to carefully work to safely harness and load the donkeys without causing further trauma. Three were brought in and taken to safety at Woodrock.

Then came another call: one more donkey was still out there.

The team turned around and went back.

With hearts pounding, they returned to make sure the last donkey would not be left behind or left alone. Thankfully, that donkey was also safely rescued and brought back to Woodrock.

That is how four gentle and soulful animals have joined our Woodrock family, now safe behind secure fencing, with food, care and the chance to recover.

A moving reminder that these gentle and often overlooked animals also deserve care, protection and compassion.

Thanks to your support, we can continue to be there for animals like these when they need us most.

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