Zimbabwe drought leaves donkeys dying of hunger and thirst
Zimbabwe is facing one of its worst droughts in years, leaving animals struggling to survive without food or water.
The drought has lasted for more than a year, with little rain to ease the situation. In areas outside Bulawayo in Southwest Zimbabwe, the land is dry and barren. Animal Survival International reports that many animals have nothing to eat, and water sources have run dry.
Over 60 donkeys have already died in the region where MARES, an animal welfare organisation, is operating.
The situation is growing worse as temperatures soar and the land continues to wither under extremely high temperatures.
Even boreholes that could provide water for the animals are not helping much. Zimbabwe’s electricity problems mean that power cuts last up to 20 hours a day.
Without electricity, water cannot be pumped to the surface from these boreholes, leaving animals thirsty and weak.
The drought is devastating for both people and animals. As conditions worsen, the donkeys, which are essential for transport and farming in rural areas, are dying in large numbers.
