Save the Donkeys!

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(HaberTürk Newspaper, 17 January 2018)


Mardinli Beyaz has named his new pal "Wilbur".

A donkey that works collecting garbage in the steep, narrow streets of
Mardin was a hit-and-run victim 3 months ago.  The seriously injured
donkey was brought to the Mardin Municipality Street Animals
Rehabilitation Center for treatment but, needing an operation, Veysel
Ögdür of  HAYTAP (Animal Rights Federation) asked for support on
social media.

Okan Oflaz, who is a supporter of animals that carry loads, in particular,
saw Ögdür's plea and, ultimately, the İstanbul University Veterinarian
Faculty agreed to perform the operation free of charge.  The Mardin
Municipality paid for transport costs to Istanbul and Oflaz covered
the costs of the operation materials and medicines. 

Istanbul University veterinary surgeons Prof. Dr. Serhat Özsoy and
Asst. Prof. Dr. Olgun Erdikmen performed the operation.  The donkey,
whose foot had been broken and turned around, is now healthy and
has been given the name "Mardinli Beyaz"  (Mardin White).  The
donkey will live out its years on a farm without any load-bearing
duties.  A black donkey that suffered a similar accident was sent
along with Mardinli Beyaz to Istanbul but the pregnant animal did
not survive.  Because of the frequency of such accidents, the Mardin
municipality is planning to open an animal hospital and stable
specifically for donkeys.



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türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Milliyet Newspaper, 17 January 2018)


                    Menekşe and new friends.

In Anamur, Mersin, an ownerless donkey was on the verge of freezing.
A veterinary team arrived on the scene and transported the donkey to
the Tarsus Zoo for treatment.  Initial examination of the animal, given
the name "Menekşe" (violet), revealed cysts and wounds on the donkey's
neck from years of pulling a cart.  The animal had also lost a percentage
of sight in its left eye.

Veterinarian Mehmet Cücük confirmed that treatment to resolve
Menekşe's health problems will be initiated and that henceforth he
and his team will look after the donkey.


Anamur, far right, bottom, is on Turkey's Med coast.