Cornwall rescue donkey Rosie welcomes new foal

Rosie, who lived alongside companions Maggie, Bluebell, Seagull and Hugo, was transported to our New Arrivals Unit in Sidmouth, Devon, some ten hours after she and the others were spotted huddling together in knee-deep mud in April last year.

Following the rescue, Seagull sadly had to be put to sleep due to severe colic, but the three female donkeys were revealed to be pregnant – with Bluebell welcoming her foal Chief a few months after she arrived at our New Arrivals Unit.

Maggie was next – she gave birth to Cubby Leo at the end of September 2022. Both Chief and Cubby Leo are thriving under sanctuary care, and have stolen the hearts of their respective grooms.

Sara Blair-Salter, our New Arrivals Manager, says: “After Chief and Cubby Leo’s arrival, we were waiting for Rosie to give birth to her foal.

“We couldn’t guess when Rosie was due because as we didn’t know when she was in season and had mated.

“We made sure to monitor her closely, checking any changes in her shape, weight and demeanour.”

As the time neared, Sara and her colleagues noticed that Rosie’s udders had begun to swell as milk was produced.

Having been segregated from other donkeys for a few weeks prior to giving birth, Rosie was monitored further as her due date approached.

Sara and Rosie’s grooms conducted overnight checks every hour for around a week, until the magic moment arrived just before 7am on 6 March.

Sara says: “Rosie’s birth went very smoothly and it was quite quick. Within 15 minutes of his arrival, her foal was on his feet and exploring his surroundings.

“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.”

Although it has been less than a week since his arrival, Rosie’s foal – who is yet to be named – has already ventured out into the field and has been exploring and running around confidently.

Sara adds: “The arrival of Rosie’s foal has completed the chapter for the donkeys rescued on that day in Cornwall a year ago.

“We now have three happy foals, and I am delighted that they all arrived safely, without any complications.

“I am so happy we were able to provide Hugo, Rosie, Maggie, Bluebell and their foals with the care and love they needed. This has been a long journey, which has had its hurdles, so we are delighted with where they are at now and how confident they have become with humans.

“They have learnt to trust us, which meant we could be there for them throughout their whole journey under our care.”