Assessment of Welfare and Health Conditions on Working Donkeys in Humbo District in Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia

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Donkeys are important animals to the resource of poor communities in Ethiopia, providing packing, traction power and transport services.A cross-sectional study was carried out from December 2023 to August 2023 to investigate the health and welfare problems of working donkeys in selected kebeles of Humbo district in Wolaita zone of southern Ethiopia.A total of 384 donkeys were selected for this study and a simple random sampling method was employed to select study donkeys from selected kebeles.Donkeys for this study were selected regardless of sex, work type, body condition and age.The study revealed a total prevalence of health problems among working donkeys in the study area was found to be 59.8 % (230/384); so that at least one problem was observed in each positive donkeys.Out of the total investigated animals during the study period, 28.26% of animals were seen with different kinds of simple to complex wounds; 21.3% of animals a musculoskeletal problem; 8.26% of animals were observed with eye problems, 11.3% were seen with different forms of infectious diseases signs, about 8.7% seen with dental problems; and about 22.17% of animals shown skin problems.During this study sex, and body condition score showed significant association (P<0.05) with prevalence of common health problems in donkeys; and age and treatment history haven't shown association (P>0.05) with health problems.Diseases, lack of adequate feed and water, work overload, improper harnessing and Traumatic damage due to different factors were the encountered factors that compromise the welfare of working donkeys in study area.Therefore, to reduce health problems and improve the welfare status of animals, awareness creation of the population about the use of these animals for working should be promoted by the government through delivering mass education and extension program, training and advice services in the area to ensure better management practices, and hence productivity of the animals.