Abandoned baby donkey recovers after treatment in Turkey’s Van

VAN – Anadolu Agency

A baby donkey left to die on a road side in the eastern province of Van has been taken under protection by the Wildlife Animal Protection and Rehabilitation Center at Yüzüncü Yıl University (YYU). 

The animal, which was born with a deformed mouth, jaw and head, was abandoned in İpekyolu district’s Değirmenarkı neighborhood. Informed by locals about the situation of the animal, municipality officials asked for help from the center’s director, Lokman Aslan.

After two successful operations and a medical treatment at the center, the donkey, named İpek (Silk), is recovering. Now the municipality officials want İpek to become their mascot. 

Aslan said the officials asked for his help for the abandoned donkey, adding, “Our center takes care of all animals. We treat them and release them back to nature. We mobilized all the possibilities. When we examined it, there were congenital anomalies in the jaw, head and lips of the animal. The owner abandoned it because it cannot eat. The treatment gave positive results and the animal can now eat healthily. It is recovering.” 

Aslan said after the treatment they will give the baby donkey to the İpekyolu Municipality. 

A municipal official, Muammer Takız, said they will meet all the needs of the donkey, adding, “We are very sorry about the recent violent acts against animals. We did our best for this donkey and we are proud of it. They will be our best friends. Everyone needs to be more sensitive about animals.”