LSPCA conducts donkey clinics
Lilongwe Society for the Protection and Care of Animals (LSPCA) on Saturday held clinics in the ditrict, treating about 200 donkeys of various diseases and injuries for free.
LSPCA is running a Donkey Welfare Project with support from the Donkey Sanctuary Project in the UK to assist donkey owners to understand their animals better. The clinics were held in Mazirao Village under the Mpingu Extension Area.
Speaking during the clinics, LSPCA donkey project officer Esimy Chioza said donkeys in Malawi contribute to people’s livelihoods through provision of transport, ploughing and other income generating activities.
“Various welfare issues like long working hours, harsh environmental conditions, improper equipment and limited veterinary attention are affecting the lifespan and contribute to decline in donkey population,” said Chioza.
The donkeys were treated for lesions and wounds, lameness, systemic infections, ticks and gastrointestinal parasites.
According to the Department of Animal Health and Livestock Development in Lilongwe, the donkey population in the country is nearly 15 000 with Lilongwe contributing 5 226.
Lilongwe district animal health and livestock development officer Grace Phiri who witnessed the clinics commended LSPCA for the initiative.
“Because of ill-treatment and lack of veterinary care, the population of donkeys is decreasing, yet these donkeys are the economic hub of these communities,” said Phiri.
Group village head Mazirao also thanked LSPCA for conducting the clinics free of charge. n
