Donkey Fencing

I was able to get a good look at the extensive fencing done by the WVA to keep donkeys off the golf course. The manager says it is working. In my daytime observation, it is definitely keeping goats out, there were dozens of them running up and down outside the fence. The fence is on the far side of the course in the photo below, not really visible in this photo.

The WVA has contracted with a business to capture donkeys by luring them to temporary corrals. Once the corral has captured donkeys, the corral must be moved, as donkeys are smart and won't go into that corral in the same place again! WVA plans to move donkeys somewhere and also to have the males gelded.

Status: Traffic Incidents with Donkeys along Waikoloa Road

Through the South Kohala Traffic Safety Committee, I asked Captain Sanborn of the HPD to report on the number of donkey-car mash-ups in recent months. He reports there have been none at all since January of 2009.

We have reliable anecdotal data of at least one incident this Fall where a donkey was struck and killed on the road.

Part of the problem with tracking the number of incidents may be that it is not part of the standard way HPD keeps statistics on accidents. I'll pursue this with Capt. Sanborn when he returns from his vacation. Meanwhile, I may be able to find out how many dead donkeys are removed by the DLNR from the road, as they have the responsibility for picking them up. As you know from reading this Blog, it is not easy to make contact with the DLNR.

Persistent Donkey Myth: Donkeys are Dying for Lack of Water

It is very hard for our minds to wrap around the idea that the Waikoloa Nightingales don't need to be given water. Yes, they do need water, and sometimes it is harder for them to find. They should not be kept somewhere with no fresh water. According to THE PEACEFUL VALLEY DONKEY RESCUE, donkeys are so adapted to dry conditions that

Donkeys can tolerate water loss up to 30% of their body weight; they can replenish it in only 15 minutes of drinking.

Which brings us to the question of what does a donkey weigh? To determine that, we need to know, how tall is the donkey? Stay tuned for factoids.

Meanwhile, let's review:

• June 10 Blog – Donkey Myth: Donkeys Need More Water. 
• August 30 Post – Please Don't Water the Donkeys.
  

MWN is working on ways to help the donkeys for the long term.  Join us, we need you.

USHS Brings Resources to the Donkeys

U.S. Humane Society now has their Veterinary Director in touch with two Island vets; a very good thing. This is the third specialist the U.S. Humane Society has involved in the project to safely manage the herds.

Waikoloa Village Association is building a fence to protect its golf course and planning to capture many donkeys to keep them out of people's yards. Since donkeys will walk a fence to the end, this presents a challenge. The HelCo "powerline" road is an example of a long, sturdy, well maintained fence that just ends abruptly. The donkeys go along it and around the end.

The concern is that no donkeys be harmed, that they find suitable homes, and that males be gelded before being released somewhere else on the Island.

WVA Manager's Plan

This is the document regarding donkeys written and handed out by WVA General Manager at the November 18, 2009 WVA Talk Story. It gives background and the current plan. We've come a long way from where the plan was to "turn over" the donkeys to "DLNR." Great news!

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/document-preview.aspx?doc_id=16961077

Update: Oh what tangled webs some folks weave as they continue their life-long pattern of deceit. Very little of this was the truth at the time, and I knew it at the time. But I had agreed to be a good girl and not point out the lies, exaggerations, and broken promises, in the interest of the donkeys.

News flash, donkeys do die eventually due to a wide variety of causes, especially feral ones.

A great number of points were later rescinded. For example, it is NOT WVA manager's duty to protect homeowner properties. The job is to not expose WVA to liability of helping out with donkeys.  The liability of neglecting homeowner is not an issue and continues today the same. Although it could change with our new manager. He's just going with the flow right now. The standard procedure when someone discovers donkeys munching their trees is they call the office, office person says there is nothing they can do as they are not WVA's donkey's (even though they came directly from WVA land. Then office person says they can call me for help. I advise building a (WVA-approved) fence. I listen to sputtering for a while and then just make notes to pass on to the team. People who missed this all the first time around still think there is someone charged with getting rid of the donkeys in their yard, like Ghost Busters! Yeah, Who Ya Gonna Call?  I'll come right over and talk the wild, feral animal into a trailer and haul it away, ANYWHERE away, and not send a bill. I think Ghost Busters sent bills but it didn't cover their expenses.

There was such vindictiveness headed at me for telling people of WVA's plans to cull herds (yes, I heard it on two occasions, once it was "no more than 20 donkeys to be killed") that two community groups I belong to were singled out for unfair, discriminatory treatment and endless bad mouthing by management. Wow, just wow. But, when the "laser beam" of the MEDIA points out the things someone plans to do and has actually done, some folks go into Blender Mode. That's where every excuse and sloppy lies are spun around till goopey and then the lid flies off and it spews on everyone within range.

Yes I'll delete this later, I'm having a flash back.

Best News Yet

At the WVA talk story last night, manager Jim Whillock distributed a plan to protect WVA resources while securing the safety of donkeys. WVA is taking advantage of consulting with the US Humane Society.

Thank you everyone who has been supportive of Malama Waikoloa Nightingales from day one to today. Please continue to care and be ready to help if we can to prevent donkeys and cars from their collision course on Waikoloa Road.

Donkeys in the News Again

The Star Bulletin ran an interview with Jim Whillock and Pete Hoffmann today.

It is good to hear he means the best.