A rare video offering a 'donkey's-eye view' has revealed the physically demanding work and daily challenges faced by working animals across the globe. The footage features 13-year-old donkey Lagdaf struggling in temperatures exceeding 36 degrees Celsius in Mauritania, where the climate crisis is driving increasingly extreme heat and summer highs can reach 45°C.
For more than 10 hours a day, donkeys like Lagdaf haul 400 litres of water—more than twice their own body weight—to provide water for their community. Working animals provide essential transport in communities where motorised vehicles are often beyond people's financial means and unsuitable for the terrain.
Hazards and public awareness
As Lagdaf carries out his vital role, he faces hazards including plastic waste and busy roads. Plastic bags can be deadly if ingested, while road traffic accidents can cause serious injury or death. The video comes as research of 2,000 UK adults found 77% would like to improve the lives of working animals.
However, 49% confessed they've never done anything to help their situation. Financial constraints (28%), lack of awareness (21%) and time (15%) held most people back, but 51% said viewing footage of working animals would spur them to support working animals.
Research findings on public attitudes
The OnePoll research also found 20% of adults aren't confident they could identify a working animal, with 48% not sure whether an ox helps humans, and 37% saying the same of a mule. And 29% admitted they aren't aware of the work animals play in supporting communities across the planet.
Despite this, 81% believe more should be done to support them. People's biggest concerns were injury or illness, the long working hours and their lack of food and water. And 83% think working animals are often overlooked because they are taken for granted and there's a lack of public awareness for them and the amount of work they do.
Climate crisis impact and call to action
The research found 65% of people are worried about the impact of the climate crisis on working animals, with droughts and rising temperatures being the biggest concerns. In fact, 55% agreed the recent UK heatwaves have increased their awareness of the impact the climate crisis will have on animals around the world.
James Harcourt, chief executive for Working Animals International, which released the video and commissioned the research ahead of World Animal Day on October 4, said: “It’s really encouraging to see that the majority of people want to improve the lives of working animals. But there is clearly a gap between that concern and taking action. We hope Lagdaf’s video can help bridge that gap.”
He added: “By seeing the world through his eyes, people can better understand the challenges working animals face every day, the essential role they play in their communities and why their welfare matters. While the research shows there is strong concern for working animals and their welfare, it also highlights a gap in understanding about the vital role they play. We hope Lagdaf’s story encourages more people to see the world through their eyes and learn more about working animals this World Animal Day. At Working Animals International we’re working to make sure animals like Lagdaf are no longer overlooked – by improving access to veterinary care, supporting owners and communities, and building greater recognition of working animals and their needs.”
