SPANA warns of climate crisis for working animals
Kenyan communities have seen unprecedented flooding, resulting in a humanitarian disaster.
The Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad (SPANA) has called for global action, stating that the climate crisis is causing ‘hardship and suffering’ for working animals.
Its appeal comes ahead of the COP29 event in November, where world leaders will descend upon Azerbaijan for the 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference. SPANA is calling for the welfare of working animals to form part of the climate agenda.
Working animals play a vital part in many rural communities, including those in Kenya, where families rely on donkeys to fetch water, transport goods and support agricultural activities.
However, unpredictable weather events such as extreme heat and flooding have been threatening the welfare and survival of these working animals.
There is currently a crisis in Kenya’s Kajiado County, south of Nairobi and near to Tanzania. This Maasai region depends heavily on working animals, with the survival of donkeys and humans closely intertwined.
Earlier this year, the Maasai communities in Magadi and Shompole saw unprecedented flooding, destroying shelters and submerging vital grazing land.
More than 4,400 donkeys were left exposed to extreme conditions and deadly diseases. Contaminated water sources have become a breeding ground for parasites and diseases which can affect both donkeys and humans.
Veterinary services are scarce in these remote locations, and so the crisis has escalated quickly.
As a result, local communities are now seeing an economic and humanitarian disaster.
In response to the disaster, SPANA collaborated with the African Network for Animal Welfare on an emergency project in the area. As well as delivering veterinary care and vaccinations to working animals, they have also developed future plans for the local communities.
This includes early warning systems, evacuation plans for animals and education on emergency responses.
SPANA says that the situation in Kenya is not isolated and is part of a global crisis.
The United Nations has a One Health approach, which recognises that human, animal and environmental health is interconnected. It advocates for collaborative, cross-sector solutions to health threats.
Linda Edwards, chief executive of SPANA, says:“When animals suffer, ecosystems collapse. That’s why SPANA is calling on world leaders to consider the protection and care of working animals in their COP29 discussions.
“These animals are vital to sustainability, and their welfare must be part of the global climate agenda.”
Images © SPANA
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