Two "Donkey Incidents" on Monthly Police Blotter

In February, Hawaii County Police Department reported two calls where officers investigated donkey sightings near both the upper highway in the (old) Saddle Road vicinity and Waikoloa Road. Due to HPD's cycling officers around the Island, I didn't get a clear report  if they were inside or outside of fencing. I think now most of us know to call only when they are outside fencing.

Gunner Mench, new Chair, South Kohala Traffic Safety Committee, being congratulated by HPD Police Captain Aimee Wana

So, stay alert, know the drill. Especially at dawn and dusk. Drive the speed limit. Expect an invisible donkey. Call 911 if it's on the road. Best if you can park and stay till an officer can arrive to keep track of whee the donkey is. Know that's a lot to ask. Get the MILE MARKER for the police and for me, please, and let me know at waikoloanightingale@gmail.com.

A few reports of them in the Village continue to come to me, but none have been called to police. Not much they can do in such a case. Let me know, so I can keep the rescue team in the loop.

If there are more reports, we'll have to search for fence breaks. Any hikers out there willing to help this time? It's more fun than it sounds. (And we learned to do it going DOWN hill.) My orthopedist said, "Desperado, why don't you come to your senses? You've been out walkin' fences for too long." But I'm still handy with keeping track of what's inspected and trying to find the right property owner to repair it. I bring treats, too.

A Year and No Posts - But Still Got Donkeys?

Wow, a full year has gone by since there was significant news to report. About all that has happened in the interim is a slow and steady capture program for neutering males and adopting them out. You can imagine that after adopting out about 600 donkeys, the current demand is pretty low! So, that is the news.

Every month the police reports no donkey incidents for over a year now!

Yup, there are still donkeys. Do report your sightings to me if they are outside fenced areas. And if they are on the road, call 911.

Three donkeys who are at the CB Horse Rescue awaiting a loving home!
Bird McIver does an wonderful job gentling them. 

If they are munching on your garden and pooping on your yard, check that you haven't installed a water feature or gotten a break in your fence. Or build a fence (really, the only answer.) Fence plans must be approved by the WVA.

I enjoy hearing from you all now and again.

When there is some uptick in news on organizing something like a sanctuary where we can neuter males and administer birth control to females, to maintain the same population during it's natural lifetime, I will post it here!

A Meeting Planning for Our Donkey's Future

Photo courtesy Gideon of http://www.flickr.com/photos/malias

Last week, we had three distinguished visitors from the United States Humane Society. They asked us to call together key volunteers and community leaders and we did. They led a meeting where we discussed goals, objectives and next steps for the donkeys remaining in Waikoloa. I will write a full report after I have sent out the thank you emails! And after I get some minutes or notes from someone, as I am not the one to do that. (whew!)

I can report that there seem to be fewer than 100 donkeys left in the Waikoloa Area and that fewer than 10 are hanging out around town. We are beginning to trap and move those to another locations. However, we have donkeys "stored" in a few places that are full up, awaiting adoptors. So we really need focus on how we will maintain a stable population of donkeys now that the herd size is down. It will involve castration of makes and possibly the PZP immunization that can prevent pregnancy in females up to two years. I have nothing firm to report on that.

But one day I will. So stay tuned, we are going to ABSOLUTELY need your support for efforts to actually SAVE our donkeys now that are reaching a manageable number.

Donkey on Mamalahoa Highway Safely Returned to Herd!

On December 22, the donkey magic menehune made more magic by getting this dear donkey back where he belonged. Donkeys are lonely without their friends, this is true. So you made him happy. Thanks to all those who periodically reminded me to follow up and to the menehune who siezed an opportunity when it presented itself. This community can come together fast when it needs to.

Home for the Holidays

On the Beach, Long Beach, CA 1909

As the 200 or so remaining donkeys regroup in the Waikoloa region, so are the volunteers. We are beginning to look for adoptive homes on other Hawaiian Islands and to think more intensely about how we will create a controlled enviornment where we can manage the size of the herd through humane means. This is meant to keep donkeys, if possible, in our area, but not so they can continue to breed to their former herd size.

Remember, the donkeys were under pressure, drivers were under pressure, and residents felt pressured, too.   We don't want to get to that point again, ever, or all the work was for naught.

Sanctuary Goofiness England (They LOVE donkeys in England)

Donkeys and people are now, we hope, "home for the holidays".

On the beach in England, a working donkey. A common sight there in summer, I think. Their owners need homes for them in the winter.

In the snow in England

Getting aid in Kenya drought.

At work in India. Pretty typical donkey work.

Nightingales: For Some The Sun Shines in a New Place!

Do read the new, additional article and see HSUS video here: http://www.humanesociety.org/news/news/2011/09/donkey_flight_091611.html

If that's too much reading, just watch the under-two-minute video here:


I am indebted to  Waikoloa's Michale O'Brien and Randy Horne of Waimea for all the excellent photos. If it's not excellent, it's  mine.

Hence photos are COPYRIGHTED. If you love one of these I will trace back through the 20 or so steps it took me to move them to the blog and advise him how to contact you.  They would love you to have a photo for your publication, I'm sure. Email WaikoloaNightingale@gmail.com with your intended use, your contact information and I will let them know. 

Count the donkey ears waiting to board in Waiki'i Ranch. There are more!

Mark Meyers, PVDR. uses his Texas hat to encourage them along the chute.

Inga Gibson, HSUS, takes a blissful break from the same work. She had a little flag on the end of a bendable pole she used instead of a hat.

Mark Meyers, Amy Meyers, of Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue, with Dr. Brady Bergin of Waimea.

Your Waikoloa Pizza Delivery Girl made sure to put out token gifts for volunteers so they would know the people of Waikoloa supported and loved them.

Donkey gently encouraged (by Inga) to go ahead and get on the trailer. 119 of them did. That is what the plane had room for. There were a couple other animals flying also, a goat and a horse. They were not flying at HSUS expense. There was the most beautiful goat I've ever seen (a Ram, a stud probably) and a lovely horse. Very well trained animals, both.

Aloha, Waiki'i.

Holo holo!

Some of the 10 trailers lined up at airport.

 

Late day sun gives golden glow to donkeys on a red trailer.

Waikoloa Nightingale transfers from trailer to container for shipping, first checking it out with careful testing. Donkeys are cautious and not prone to rash decisions. (Once the first donkey travels through a gate and doesn't disappear, others usually follow along. The surface is a soft one and there is bedding material so they can lie down if they like. 

Volunteers push container as it is loaded with donkeys then help pull it up onto the trailer platform for ride to plane

These are their homes for the trip. These are loaded two a trailer to be pulled in a connected train out to the plane. Picture precious cargo or luggage of he Prince of Wales being loaded onto a jet. Just like your baggage, but much nicer!! And then each container is secured to the plane cargo hold itself, for a smooth flight.

Clinic Photos August 27 - 28

A few photos of clinic volunteers during lunch break on Day One and pau hana on Day Two.

Keith Dane, pau hana.