The now-retired donkeys of Wupperthal will never have to pull carts or carry loads ever again, and they’re safe from ever-growing threats to the species.
Western Cape, South Africa (15 September 2026) – Thirty-two donkeys from the historic mountain community of Wupperthal have started a peaceful new chapter in the Karoo.
The herd left the Cederberg Mountains for the Karoo Donkey Sanctuary, where their working days will officially be behind them. The sanctuary has kept the rescue operation largely under wraps for the safety of the donkeys until now.
“While logistics negotiations and this extremely complicated rescue operation were underway, our absolute priority was protecting the donkeys and getting them safely out. We could not risk publicly disclosing their location until they were loaded and on their way.” the organisation shared.
Donkeys have been a part of the mountain community of Wupperthal and surrounds for more than 100 years.
“Deep in the rugged Cederberg Mountains of the Western Cape Province in South Africa lies Wupperthal, a historic mission station founded in 1830 by two German missionaries of the Rhenish Missionary Society. Wupperthal later became part of the Moravian Church and remains a Moravian mission station today.
Donkeys have been part of that story for generations.
In this isolated mountain landscape, they carried people and goods along tracks inaccessible to vehicles. They worked alongside subsistence farmers, helped thresh harvested grain and connected remote communities with the outside world.
The donkey carts of Wupperthal and the surrounding communities became such an important part of life that this tradition remains part of the region’s cultural heritage today.
The significance of this rescue extends far beyond the 32 lives travelling with us today.” the organisation shared.
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It was a deeply worrying start to a rescue that was already complicated, but the team needed to move fast for the 32 donkeys still in their care. They were loaded into a smaller transporter for the three-hour journey out of the mountains to Clanwilliam. There, specialist equine transporters were waiting to take over for the roughly eight-hour trip into the Karoo.
The donkeys will have arrived at their new sanctuary by now, where they’re settling in as carers assess their needs.
The sanctuary does incredible work in contributing toward the welfare of donkeys in South Africa. Unfortunately, donkeys face many threats. Neglect, commercial slaughter and the donkey skin trade have placed tremendous pressure on populations. Thankfully, these 32 souls will be safe and sheltered for the rest of their lives.
“By bringing them into sanctuary, we are not only saving individual lives. We are ensuring that these donkeys will never be sold, slaughtered or reduced to the value of their skins.
At a time when South Africa’s donkeys desperately need protection, this rescue matters.
And today, another chapter in their history begins.”
The rescue has taken plenty of hands to pull together. The sanctuary thanked Janine, Retha and the team at Clanwilliam Animal Welfare Society (CLAWS) for helping manage the difficult logistics, along with New Turf Carriers and everyone who donated or offered assistance.
The eight donkeys who disappeared from the kraal sadly remain unaccounted for – the Karoo Donkey Sanctuary says they have not been forgotten.
“Our work is not over. Eight remain unaccounted for, and they have not been forgotten.”
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