The Impact of Carrying Heavy Loads on the Donkeys Health in Benadir Region Somalia

Abstract

Background The number of donkeys worldwide has increased from 37 million in 1961 to an estimated 44 million. However, they are not distributed evenly; the bulk of them reside in semi-arid and hilly areas. Most donkeys kept around the world are only utilized for work or transportation. Study A descriptive design was used to perform the study. This method was employed by the researcher to describe and examine the effects of carrying big loads on the health of donkeys in the Mogadishu, Somalia, Deynile neighborhood. Objectives The major goal of this study was to determine how large loads of donkeys affected their health in the Benadir region of Somalia. Results The study’s results showed that 160 (80%) of the respondents let the donkeys rest when they were ill, while 40 (20%) of the respondents did not let the majority of the respondents rest. According to the results of the current survey, 188 respondents (94%) believe that a donkey may experience pain, whereas 12 respondents (6%) disagree. This study found that the majority of donkeys do not have shelter at night, with 38 (19%) of respondents stating as much. These results also showed that the owners observed 146 (73%) lesions involving hair loss and 54 (27%) lesions involving minor abrasions in their heavily laden donkeys. The results of the current study also suggest that using donkeys to haul high loads is bad for their health. Out of 158 owners 80% strongly disagreed and out of 12 owners 6% strongly agreed and out of 6 owners 3% agreed. Conclusion According to the current study, donkeys who pull carts in and around the Banadir region of Somalia experience health problems as a result of carrying heavy loads. Health and welfare are complicated issues that we are addressing. The main causes of health and welfare problems included poorly made wooden carts, a lack of standards for harnessing equipment, an unapproved policy regarding working animals, a lack of knowledge regarding animal welfare, relying on cart work as a primary source of income, overloading, overworking, and work types. Recommendation The findings of this study strongly advise the Ministry of Livestock to create laws and rules governing donkey maintenance, health, and load-carrying capacity.