Assessment on working donkey welfare problem in jigjiga city, somali region, eastern Ethiopia

A cross-sectional study was done with the objectives of assessment on working Donkey welfare problem in Jigjiga City, Somali Region. A total of 384 working donkey were observed. Both direct (animal based) and owner interview were used to collect data. According to the current investigation, 64% of donkeys were used for draught and 36% were used for pack type of work. All females were used for packing purpose, whereas 86.8% of male donkeys were used for draught purpose. Out of 134(77.9%) of donkeys had a poor body condition in >10years of age group, whereas most donkeys 57(75%) under the age group less than 5-years were having good conditions. A significant association (p<0.01) was found between the duration of working hours, and working type of donkey and poor body condition. Out of total 384 working donkeys examined in the study area about 59.9%, 34.9%, 45.6% and 44.8% were suffering with different type of wounds, other disease signs, musculo-skeletal problems and dermatological diseases respectively, whereas about 80.9% animals showed abnormal behavior such as depressed and other odd sign. Donkeys used for draught purpose experienced higher prevalence of wound than those used for other purpose. The current study also showed that 45% of donkeys used for work were in >10 years of age group. Most of the respondents (44.8%) of the study area had no knowledge and information on donkey welfare. Beating of working animal was widely practiced (45.1%). In conclusion working donkeys in the present study area were experiencing a compound health and welfare problems. Awareness creation through mass education, training and extension service should be promoted in the study area in order to ensure better donkey welfare and productivity.