24th of March 2010 - Bad season on the cruise market

Approximately from October until May it is cruise season on Bonaire. During these months several big cruise ships a week arrive in the harbour of Kralendijk. The passengers of these

ships have one day to visit the island. On the days that cruise ships are here, there is a little market in the centre of Kralendijk, where all kind of local products are sold to the tourists. We are on the market as well selling souvenirs, to gain some extra income for our donkeys. We sell the same items as we do in our shop at the sanctuary, like cuddly animals, t-shirts, bags and sea salt. Marina often has to leave very early in the morning to set up and arrange her booth and has long working days standing on the market. It is very

difficult to combine this with all the jobs that have to be done daily at the donkey sanctuary, but we simply cannot do without the profit we make on the cruise market. Unfortunately the profit this season is very bad compared to previous years.

26th of March 2010 - Donkeys feast on palm leaves

Did you know that our donkeys feast on a meal of palm leaves? The even like the brown dried out leaves, but especially the fresh green palm leaves are a real festive meal for them.

Sometimes we can get some palm leaves, for instance when the trees in someone’s garden are being trimmed. As soon as we enter the meadow with some leaves, the donkeys get excited only by the smell of it. They all try to make for it and even fight to get their share. It is perfect nutrition for them and it saves us one meal of expensive hay. Do you live on Bonaire and can you provide us palm leaves? Please contact us. Our donkeys will be very grateful to you!

28th of March 2010 - New horse trailer arrived

Last month we already told you, that a regional division of the Animal Welfore Society in Holland donated us a horse trailer. Our old trailer almost collapsed, despite many repairs

and face-lifts, and we do not have money to buy a better one ourselves. This week the new horse trailer arrived on Bonaire. We are so happy about it! A beautiful and solid trailer, in which we can transport two donkeys at a time. This is very important, as we often save a jenny and foal together from the streets. And as well the trailer is big enough to transport an injured donkey lying down on the floor. Thank you very much region ‘Gooi and Vechtstreek’ of the Animal Welfare Society, this gift is so very welcome!

18th of April 2010 – exclusive donkey art for sale

As of today we sell exclusive donkey art in our little souvenir shop. All these artefacts are handmade by Dion, an inhabitant of Bonaire. Of course every masterpiece is unique. On order she can make you a particular composition, making the colour of the donkeys and the number of donkeys exactly as you wish to have it. Obviously the profits of these artefacts will benefit the donkeys in our sanctuary!

19th of April 2010 – another little orphan

Early this morning Marina was already on the market selling souvenirs, when she received a phone call. She was told that a jennet was hit by a car on the Kaminda Lagun, just in front of the animal shelter and the abattoir. Ed and Marion immediately went over to help.

Unfortunately the jennet was already dead. Her still very young foal was standing nearby, tied up with a rope to a fence. Nobody stayed on the scene to wait for us. Also the foal has some injuries from the car hit: his eye is damaged and his leg is badly bruised. Obviously his mum beard the hardest smack, sheltering her child but paying with her life. Considering his teeth we estimate this little donkey boy about 6 weeks old. We did not yet find a name for him, but he will get one soon. For the present he will be in our orphan meadow and raised with special foal milk. Fortunately our sponsor Pavo is always willing to help us by providing the necessary foal milk for free.