Wild Donkey «Cupid» Survives Arrow Attack
Hope for «Cupid»: The two-year-old wild donkey is recovering from a serious arrow attack following emergency surgery. The animal was spotted last week in Moreno Valley, California, with a blue arrow lodged in its shoulder. The projectile had even pierced the donkey’s right lung.
Thanks to the swift intervention of animal welfare officers and volunteers from the rescue organisation DonkeyLand, Cupid was able to be captured and operated on.
«At the moment she is stable and can stand — that is a tremendous improvement,» said Chad Cheatham, Vice President of DonkeyLand. Once Cupid has fully recovered, she is set to join a herd of rescued donkeys at the organisation’s 800-hectare sanctuary.
Series of Attacks on Wild Donkeys
The incident is the latest in a series of bow-and-arrow attacks on wild donkeys in Southern California. Since June, at least six animals have allegedly been injured or killed by hobby hunters DonkeyLand has since offered a reward of 24,000 US dollars from donations for information leading to the apprehension of the perpetrators.
The Riverside County Department of Animal Services confirmed that the investigation is ongoing. The authority is asking the public for assistance in identifying the suspects.
Iconic Animals of the Southwest
Wild donkeys, descendants of pack animals from the Gold Rush era, are under federal protection in the American Southwest. In Moreno Valley, they have long been an established part of the landscape. According to Cheatham, they even help with fire prevention by grazing on dry grass in hard-to-reach canyons. «The firefighters love them, because they say: These guys get to places we can’t reach,» said Cheatham.
However, not all encounters between humans and animals are peaceful: wild donkeys frequently become involved in traffic accidents or injure themselves on fences. In the neighbouring San Bernardino County, they are therefore increasingly being relocated to protected areas.
Appeal to the Public
Animal welfare advocates are now hoping for tips from the public. “These attacks are cruel and senseless,” said Cheatham. “The donkeys are gentle and provide an important service to the community.”
The attacks in Moreno Valley involved broadhead arrows, of the kind traditionally used in hobby hunting, said Cheatham.
