Hello dearest donkey friends of our Donkey Sanctuary Bonaire
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Celebrati
25
MAY 2018
ng
DONKEY SANCTUARY Ye a r s
BONAIRE NEWSLETTER
Hello dearest donkey friends of our Donkey Sanctuary Bonaire,
On the 26th of May 2018 it will already be for 25 create more sun shelters and wheel barrows. And not
years long, that we do our best for the donkeys on to forget the raised golf cart with trailer, that can also
Bonaire and indirectly also for the donkeys on Sint be (easily) used by our trainees and volunteers who
Eustatius and in the past on Aruba. 25 years of a do not have a driving license.
person’s life is quickly said, but so many things took
place in all these years. Sadly we look back on an In August 2016 we sent a letter to the government,
amazing lot of suffering amongst the donkeys and to request permission to re-start the previously
a lot of frustration on our side. But fortunately still mutually agreed on donkey management plan. After
happiness and love always win in our minds, when all, it was on orders from the government that our
we are able to rescue donkeys and when we can offer execution of this plan was suddenly put to a stop.
these lovely creatures a forever safe and well cared We were no longer allowed to castrate donkey males
for home inside our sanctuary. and to preventively give shelter to donkey mares and
their foals inside the sanctuary. So we again had to
At the moment our small team (Genaro, Marina, witness in silence how donkeys got badly injured in
trainees and 2 volunteers) cares for over 700 donkeys traffic or elsewhere, were out on the streets suffering
inside our sanctuary. This means that we have to from deadly illnesses and how new-born foals lost
work very hard for 7 days a week. We do this very their mothers. Only then we were allowed to act and
gladly and with all our hearts for the donkeys, but help these poor animals. Too bad most of the times
more helping hands would be so very welcome! our help consisted of putting to sleep incurably ill or
Because we lack manpower, we were not able to deadly wounded donkeys. Very frustrating!
make this newsletter as extensive as usual and as we
would like it to be. But as we still wanted to inform All this time, from Augustus 2016 on, we did not get
you personally about our state of affairs, we hereby any reaction from the government at all, except for
send you this short version. And if you are curious formal receive acknowledgements on our recurrent
about the everyday happenings and the donkeys in letters. Ultimately we called in the National Public
the sanctuary, you can of course take a look on our Servant, as the government of Bonaire did still not
Facebook page. respond in any way to our requests. And then, just
recently, we finally received a substantive answer
Our main problem is collecting enough money to pay from the government. With an excuse for their
for all structural expenses. Particularly the bills for late reply and their appeal on us to yet start again
donkey food and hay are a huge spending. Especially rescuing all donkey mares and foals from the streets.
since we have not been able to buy hay from
Venezuela for a long time already and we are forced Of course we would love to do so, but in this
to import this from the Netherlands, the expenses letter the government does not mention a thing
for donkey food are even higher than before. But about the additional expenses. Not only capturing
thanks to all your support, so far we have been these donkeys costs a lot of money and time, but
able to survive. Your support means so much for us once inside the sanctuary the donkeys need to be
and the donkeys, more than we will ever be able to well cared for life long. As you probably know, a
express in words in a newsletter. donkey can get as old as 40 years. In the letter of
the government nothing is said about this, so we
Also when we organise extra fundraising to be able requested an evaluation meeting. We hope this
to buy required incidental needs, you – as our loyal meeting can be arranged quicker, than the time it
donkey friends- are always ready to help us out. took to finally send us a letter. Will be continued!
Thanks to donations and sponsoring we are able to
buy the items that we badly need to take well care
of the donkeys, like hay racks, building material to Read more on the next page.
If you would like to report a donkey in distress on Bonaire we are available via telephone 24 hours a day!
Donkey Sanctuar y Bonaire · donkeysanctuar y.com · info@donkeysanctuar y.com · +599 95 607 607
DONKEY SANCTUARY BONAIRE NEWSLETTER · MAY 2018
Because our efforts to manage the donkey problem school the pupils already follow five lessons about
on Bonaire has been forced to a halt for almost 2 donkeys from a specially made lesson box. This new
years now, meanwhile many new foals are born out lesson box is made possible by a financial grant from
on the streets and many donkey mares got pregnant Economic Affairs in the Netherlands. Something we
from not yet castrated males. After all we were only are very grateful for of course. This was the first time
permitted to help ill and injured donkeys and not ever that we received a grant and we hope it will not
allowed to prevent the donkey population from be the last time. The children are the future, so we
reproducing. As a result we guess that the number of are very happy that we can contribute in this way to
donkeys out on the streets will increase with about teach the children of Bonaire love and respect for
100 donkeys. We estimate that at this moment about animals.
200 donkey mares are still roaming outside the safe
boundaries of our sanctuary. Fortunately, thanks And it is also with love and respect that we thank you
to our work so far, the number of traffic accidents for your support to the donkeys!
with donkeys involved did substantially decrease. In
2016 sadly we counted 119 accidents with donkeys
involved, while in 2017 this number was just 31.
Also our cooperation with STINAPA with respect Marina and
to the Nature and Environment Education is a huge
success, also thanks to Desiree Croes who does a
great job. Almost every month we receive a primary
the Donkeyteam
school class at the sanctuary. Before their visit, at
We are celebrating 25 years of caring for Bonaire’s Donkeys.
Show this newsletter & voucher and get free entry for two people at our sanctuary!
Free entry for 2 people
Enter at your own risk
Celebrating 25 YEARS
of caring for Bonaire’s Donkeys
If you would like to report a donkey in distress on Bonaire we are available via telephone 24 hours a day!
Donkey Sanctuar y Bonaire · donkeysanctuar y.com · info@donkeysanctuar y.com · +599 95 607 607
DONKEY SANCTUARY BONAIRE NEWSLETTER · MAY 2018
25 years Donkey Sanctuary Bonaire
In 1993,Dutch nationals Marina Melis and her husband still having plenty of room and freedom. Obviously,
Ed Koopman established a donkey sanctuary on Bonaire all stallions in the sanctuary are castrated to prevent
(Foundation Donkey’s Help). reproduction.
Donkey Sanctuary Bonaire does not only give help to When a report arrives about a donkey in distress,
donkeys in distress, but strives to offer a better life to volunteers are send to the rescue. Sick and wounded
all the donkeys on Bonaire. animals are nursed in the sanctuary with love, care
and a great knowledge. Orphaned foals are raised
They also distribute information among the local with a babybottle and donkeys that are to badly
community schools and tourist, helping to raise injured or ill will be released from the suffering by a
awareness and understanding. vet, paid for by the donkey sanctuary Bonaire.
Hundreds of donkeys have found shelter within the All donkeys that are rescued from the streets
Donkey Sanctuary Bonaire. The animals are provided can face a safe and well cared life at the Donkey
with food, drinking water and medical care, whilst Sanctuary Bonaire.
Baby Donkey Elsy On March 12th we received a phone call from a
former colleague. A young mare was hit by a car on
Kaminda Lagoen which resulted in breaking her leg.
Elvira waited for us to arrive, and we carefully lifted
the injured mare into our trailer. We drove straight
towards Jan, our vet, who gave her some potent
painkillers. Right after his consultation hours, Jan
drove towards the Donkey Sanctuary to see how
the little donkey was feeling. By the time he arrived,
we had been taking care of her leg and damaged
eye sockets. Thankfully, her leg broke just under the
knees. The location of the fracture and the young age
gave good hope for recovery.
At this moment, she is doing well. After a few weeks,
her first cast was replaced by Jan. It supports her
well. After 4 weeks a new case was put around just
her knee, which helps her move around properly.
Whenever we start cleaning the meadows, she starts
walking (and even running) outside. The little donkey
girl is doing well. She’s recently been adopted and
was named Elsy.
If you would like to report a donkey in distress on Bonaire we are available via telephone 24 hours a day!
Donkey Sanctuar y Bonaire · donkeysanctuar y.com · info@donkeysanctuar y.com · +599 95 607 607
DONKEY SANCTUARY BONAIRE NEWSLETTER · MAY 2018
Our great current student
interns and volunteer!
We receive student interns and volunteers from
the Netherlands and we are happy that they don’t
have a 9-5 office mentality, if there is a donkey in
need they are always prepared to help out! Even
on their day off they will lend a hand for a few hours
if it is busy. It is hard to plan working with animals,
as every day is different. The girls understand this
and are always willing to help. Great! Thanks girls
and also thank you to all interns and volunteers over
the last 25 years since our Donkey Sanctuary exist,
thank you for your input!
My name is Rianne van Dijk. I am studying to be a veterinary
nurse. My study is 4 years long, and in my second year I had
the option to do an internship abroad. I knew immedetially
that I wanted to do this, but I didn’t yet know where. It
seemed a nice idea that I could still speak dutch. In the
beginning everything is very new, and the fact that I can
speak dutch here makes it easier for me.
The reason I chose to intern at the Donkey Sanctuary is
because I thought it was a wonderful idea to be able to
care for over 700 donkeys!
Rianne
Hello everyone! My name is Joyce Markvoort and for my
study as veterinary nurse I am completing a four month
internship here.
The reason that I am interning at The Donkey Sanctuary
Bonaire is because I like to be able to help a non-profit
organisation. I love that I can help the donkeys, especially
so many of them! Where else do you find 700 donkeys in
one place?! Ofcourse the great location helped to finalise
my choice. Bonaire is a beautiful island to be able to do
my internship!
JOYCE
If you would like to report a donkey in distress on Bonaire we are available via telephone 24 hours a day!
Donkey Sanctuar y Bonaire · donkeysanctuar y.com · info@donkeysanctuar y.com · +599 95 607 607
DONKEY SANCTUARY BONAIRE NEWSLETTER · MAY 2018
Hey! My name is Merel Heetkamp, I am 18 years old and
come from a village in the Netherlands called Heino.
I am completing my internship here for four months
together with Joyce and Rianne, who are also from my
class. I chose the Donkey Sanctuary Bonaire as I wanted
to go to a location that I wouldn’t easily be able to visit
on holiday. I looked at a few different other places, but
eventually chose to come to Bonaire. The great thing
about this internship is being able to work with over
700 donkeys and meeting the visitors who come and
visit the sanctuary.
MEREL
My name is Margot, two weeks ago I began volunteering
here at the Donkey Sanctuary Bonaire and until now I’ve
had a great time! During a gap year between my bachelor
and master I decided that I wanted to do something useful
and work with my hands. Seeing as I love animals, and
that the Caribbean lifestyle looked appealing, I decided to
come and work here. No regrets !
Are you interested in volunteering or completing an
T internship at the Donkey Sanctuary? Contact us!
MARGO
If you would like to report a donkey in distress on Bonaire we are available via telephone 24 hours a day!
Donkey Sanctuar y Bonaire · donkeysanctuar y.com · info@donkeysanctuar y.com · +599 95 607 607
DONKEY SANCTUARY BONAIRE NEWSLETTER · MAY 2018
Georgie and Luna
These two old ladies were picked up by us just two
weeks after one another. The brown donkey named
Georgie was reported a few times beforehand,
but a call from Elly Albers (Wild bird rehab, at the
Magrove Centre) made us decide to ultimately had
us pick her up to take care of her. On January 3rd
this year, Lady Georgie was looking well for her
age, as you can see on the picture where she is
shown alongside her daughter. With the increasing
drought on Bonaire less food is available for our wild
donkeys. A young and strong daughter which seeks
constant nourishment from her mother can have a
large impact on mom’s health conditions. Georgie is
getting older (We estimate around 29 years) and she’s
got hooks on her teeth. Most older donkeys seem to
have these kind of teeth. Our vet Jan often comes to
treat the older donkeys’ dentures. In nature a donkey
won’t have any vet support, which means their bad
teeth can make it difficult to survive in nature. During
a dry period, the only edible food is most likely hard
and dry. This makes it hard to chew. Because of this,
the elderly donkeys will be the first ones to start
looking very lean.
You can see this clearly with Luna, whom we’ve
recently picked up at Lagoen Hill. She’s also a bit of
an older lady, who was getting used to finding food
around people. She can’t find it for herself in nature
any more. A very sweet family has been feeding her
for a while. After they realized it wasn’t making a
big difference for Luna, they decided to call us in.
We picked her up during our adventures with our
great team of interns and volunteers who are ever
so caring and helpful, even during their spare time.
Luna’s dentures also needed some care from Jan.
We’re hoping she will get stronger with the high
nutrient food we are giving her at the Sanctuary.
So far the ladies are doing very well. The only
problem we are noticing is with Georgie. She seems
to miss her daughter very much. We are still looking
Georgina Luna for her so we can reunite them…
If you would like to report a donkey in distress on Bonaire we are available via telephone 24 hours a day!
Donkey Sanctuar y Bonaire · donkeysanctuar y.com · info@donkeysanctuar y.com · +599 95 607 607
DONKEY SANCTUARY BONAIRE NEWSLETTER · MAY 2018
Help the donkeys!
To care for the hundreds of donkeys in the
sanctuary and to provide medical care to donkeys
in distress, obviously money is needed.
Donkey sanctuary Bonaire(Donkeys help)is a small,
registered and non profit making organisation. The
sanctuary is dependent entirely upon donations,
gifts and the work of volunteers.
Are you willing to help us to go on caring for the
donkeys on Bonaire? For instance, come and pay
us a visit at the sanctuary.The entrancefee will
completely benefit their care.
All other profits such as sales of drinks and
souvenirs, will be used entirely for the care and
upkeep of hundreds of these adorable donkeys.
However there are many more ways to support the
sanctuary. For instance you can adopt a donkey.
You will then receive an adoption certificate and
a picture of the donkey of your choice. A one off
donation is, ofcourse, very much appreciated.
Maybe your company is willing to sponsor us or
to donate goods? And also if you have any other
ideas as how to support these gentle creatures the
Sanctuary will love to hear from you.
We need all the help we can get!
Read more news?
We send out a newsletter twice a year.
But ofcourse a lot happens year round at our
Donkey Sanctuary.
Would you like to keep up to date with
The Donkey Sanctuary Bonaire?
Please follow us on Facebook: @DonkeySanctuary
For donations in US dollars: For donations in Euros: Donkey Sanctuary Bonaire
Maduro & Curiel’s Bank Bonaire lNG Bank Nederland P.O. Box # 331,
Account number: 10878904 in the IBAN: NL 82 INGB 0003921224 Bonaire
Newsletter Design:
Deviate Design
name of Stichting Donkeys Help t.n.v. Mevrouw M.M. Melis -
Swift: MCBKBQBN inzake Donkeys Help
Swift: INGBNL2A
If you would like to report a donkey in distress on Bonaire we are available via telephone 24 hours a day!
Donkey Sanctuar y Bonaire · donkeysanctuar y.com · info@donkeysanctuar y.com · +599 95 607 607
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