Donkey Sanctuary

Placement number:  0101
Location: Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles
Preferred Languages: English or Dutch
Date: September to January
Requirements:  None
Minimum Period: 1 month

When you visit the beautiful island of Bonaire in the Dutch Caribbean, stop by and meet the wonderful donkeys living in our sanctuary. The ancestors of these animals were originally brought to the island as beasts of burden and to work in the great salt pans that form almost one quarter of Bonaire land mass. When machinery replaced the donkeys, they were set free to fend for themselves.

So let us tell you something about our foundation. The foundation built the sanctuary. Profit is not our aim. Our sole concern is the improvement of the bad living conditions of the almost 270 donkeys on Bonaire. During the last wild donkey survey on island, conducted from September 2003 to September 2004, we found 211 donkeys on the road and brought them to our Sanctuary. At this moment (January 2006) we have over 300 donkeys in our care. Baby donkeys that have lost their mothers are raised in the safety of the sanctuary. The sanctuary staff also provides emergency care for donkeys injured by cars and on-going medical needs of the entire population of the sanctuary.

The Island Government has been so kind as to lease us 16 hectares of land at a very reasonable price. Additional, our foundation owns another 80 hectares (200 acres) purchased from a family in Curaçao.

Role of Volunteer

Feeding and cleaning and  care for the donkeys'and motherless foals , all work must be done in the park , guide tourists inform them abouth our volunteer work, sell souvenirs in our store.

Cost

Complimentary free accommodation but food is the sole responsibility of the volunteers..

Travel

WE can pick up the volunteers from the local airport on Bonaire.