PHOTOS | Hungry donkey rescued after being trapped on an island in Vaal Dam for four weeks

A malnourished donkey was rescued Sunday morning after being stranded on an island in Vaal Dam near Deneysville, four weeks after it disappeared.

National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) spokesman Craig Lambinon said the donkey reportedly arrived on the island about four weeks ago when water levels were low but was unable to return to the mainland when water levels were low. water rose.

The rescue operation was carried out by the The NSRI Vaal Dam guard team assisted by local vets, Lambinon said.

“The local vets, from Veliers Veterinary Hospital, were activated and upon arrival, we brought the vet to the island and confirmed that the donkey was stressed and malnourished,” Lambinon said.

NSRI guard team rescuing a stranded donkey on an island in Vaal Dam near Deneysville, south of Gauteng

Supplied NSRI

Lambinon said a specialized stretcher was brought to the scene and the vet threw the donkey to calm him down before they loaded him onto the stretcher and then “carefully we loaded the donkey onto our NSRI Crock,” Lambinon added.

“With the NSRI rescue team on the NSRI Crock to care for the donkey, we towed the Crock, using the NSRI rescue boat, to the mainland, where the donkey was reunited with his family.

“The donkey is being well cared for by its owners who were delighted with the return of their donkey that has been missing for the past four weeks,” Lambinon said.