Donkey found knee-deep in mud gives birth to foal after heart-warming rescue

Staff at The Donkey Sanctuary are delighted to welcome a fluffy new arrival.

A foal, who is not yet named, was born to Rosie, who was found with four others in muddy and rain-swept conditions in April 2022. 

The four donkeys were huddled in knee-deep conditions and were brought to The Sidmouth Donkey Sanctuary for urgent treatment. These checks confirmed that three of the four donkeys (named Rosie, Maggie, and Bluebell) were pregnant.

Bluebell welcomed her foal Chief a few months after she arrived at the sanctuary's New Arrivals Unit, with Maggie giving birth to Cubby Leo at the end of September. 

Rosie and her calf (The Donkey Sanctuary)

The sanctuary was unable to determine when Rosie had conceived and so she was closely monitored by the veterinary team. 

Sara Blair-Salter, the sanctuary's New Arrivals Manager, said: "We couldn't guess when Rosie was due because as we didn't know when she was in season and had mated, so we made sure to monitor her closely, checking any changes in her shape, weight and demeanour." 

The foul was delivered in the early hours of 6 March and he was soon finding his feet. He has already been up and about in the fields, exploring his new home in the Devon countryside. 

Sara continued: "Rosie knew exactly what she was doing from the off – she was cleaning her foal and nudging him towards her udder and encouraging him to feed."