A new research initiative in Ethiopia aims to tackle the serious problem of plastic ingestion among the country’s vast donkey population, estimated at around 10.6 million. The effort seeks to enhance animal welfare by investigating how donkeys consume harmful plastics while foraging in waste and developing strategies to mitigate the crisis, driven by alarming statistics from the Ethiopian Environmental Protection Authority (EPA).
A Growing Crisis for Ethiopia’s Donkeys
Ethiopia hosts the largest population of donkeys in the world, which often scavenge through discarded waste in search of food. Unfortunately, a staggering 79% of the country’s plastic waste remains unprocessed, accumulating rather than being recycled or incinerated. This waste is frequently found in landfills, dumps, waterways, and along roadsides, leading to severe consequences for unsuspecting animals.
Dr. Getachew Mulugeta and Tilahun Haile, both from The Donkey Sanctuary, highlight the severity of the situation. “The plastics most frequently ingested by donkeys are thin polyethylene shopping bags,” they explained. “These materials often retain a residual odor from food, making them appealing to donkeys. Plastics may be empty or still have food remnants.”
Legislative Measures to Combat Plastic Waste
In June, the Ethiopian government introduced measures to combat the plastic crisis, imposing a ban on single-use plastic bags. This legislation includes fines of up to 5,000 birr (approximately USD 35) for individuals caught using or distributing such bags, with heavier penalties for manufacturers and distributors. This ban builds on the national plastic waste management strategy launched by the EPA in 2024.
Experts point out that donkeys are particularly vulnerable to pollution since they are often left to roam freely without supplementary feed. “The implementation of sustainable and practical waste management strategies is essential to reduce or prevent the exposure of donkeys and other animals to hazardous plastics,” emphasized Mulugeta and Haile.
Proposed Interventions and Solutions
To tackle the plastic crisis, the researchers propose several essential interventions:
- Prohibition of Single-Use Plastics: A complete ban on plastic packaging, especially single-use items, is crucial.
- Securing Dump Sites: Major open dumpsites should be fenced and gated to prevent the dispersal of lightweight plastics into grazing areas.
- Adoption of the 4Rs Framework: Minimizing plastic consumption through the principles of Reduce, Reuse, Recover, and Recycle is vital.
- Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Policies: Manufacturers and importers should be held accountable for post-consumer plastic waste.
- Public-Private Partnerships: Collaboration between non-governmental organizations, local authorities, and private sectors should be strengthened to expand waste collection and recycling efforts.
Study on the Impact of Plastic Pollution
The Donkey Sanctuary Ethiopia will collaborate with Addis Ababa University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture to study the impact of plastic on working donkeys and other land animals. The research is set to begin early next year and will employ a variety of scientific methods to gather data. The aim is to assess the extent of pollution, identify risk factors, and propose sustainable solutions.
Current clinical records indicate that urban donkeys are more susceptible to colic related to plastic intake than their rural counterparts. At veterinary clinics in Addis Ababa’s Merkato district and Bishoftu, plastic-related colic is one of the most frequently treated issues.
“Community-based interventions are paramount in mitigating mortality and morbidity among working donkeys due to plastic ingestion,” Mulugeta and Haile assert. Evidence of plastic waste can often be seen in the feces of donkeys treated at the clinic. Educational efforts aimed at donkey owners regarding the harmful effects of plastic ingestion and proper waste disposal practices are essential.
Importance of Safe Grazing Zones
Given that most of the problem is concentrated in urban and peri-urban areas where grazing land is limited and refuse dumps are common, it becomes crucial to provide safe grazing zones or alternative feed resources for donkeys.
“Collaborative efforts between equine welfare organizations and relevant government bodies, such as municipal authorities and the Ministry of Agriculture, are crucial to creating and maintaining a safe environment for these animals,” the experts noted.
Addressing Animal Suffering
According to the researchers, donkeys brought to veterinary clinics likely represent only a fraction of the problem. Intestinal impaction or blockages from ingested plastics can lead to tragic outcomes. Many donkeys are likely dying in their communities without ever receiving veterinary care.
“The mortality rate related to plastic ingestion is typically high. Prompt veterinary intervention may help alleviate blockage and colic symptoms early on; however, treatment outcomes are not always successful,” Mulugeta and Haile caution.
Veterinarians play an essential role in educating animal owners about the early signs of plastic impaction-related colic and the importance of timely veterinary intervention. Furthermore, conducting epidemiological surveys will help identify risk factors and significant dumping sites, which will be crucial in implementing effective prevention and control strategies.
