Aleks

Salamas was a female Indochinese tiger (Panthera tigris corbetti) who spent 20 years in captivity at a tiger farm in northern Thailand. She was repeatedly used for breeding, with her cubs feeding the illegal trade in tiger bones, skins, claws, and meat. Thanks to the tireless efforts of the NGO 'Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand', Salamas was rescued from this life of suffering and relocated to a wildlife sanctuary. There, she finally experienced freedom, but only for 9 months before passing away. A slave for 20 years, and a tiger for just 9 months… Tiger parts, like those of many other animals, hold NO proven medical value. We must all stand firm and united to end these cruel and senseless practices once and for all. - Picture credit: Amy Jones

This #VEDay marks 80 years since the end of World War Two. It also happens to fall on #WorldDonkeyDay, so to mark this, Brooke is shining a spotlight on the unsung heroes of war – donkeys. Horses are known for their role in the World Wars; however, donkeys were also a vital asset, playing a quiet but powerful role, especially in regions where modern transport was difficult or even impossible. Here are some of the roles donkeys played during WWII and other conflicts: - They carried food, weapons and medical supplies, especially in mountainous or rough terrain where vehicles couldn’t access. - In some areas, especially with the British and Commonwealth forces, donkeys helped evacuate wounded soldiers when vehicles or stretchers weren’t an option. - In North Africa, British medics used donkeys to carry wounded soldiers back to field hospitals, especially in desert or rocky terrain which was unreachable by ambulance. - Donkeys were crucial to resistance fighters in occupied territories, helping to move equipment and supplies discreetly through mountain regions and forests. - In areas lacking infrastructure, donkeys sometimes helped carry communication equipment like radios. Today, there are over 50 million donkeys globally. They help to transport water, food and goods, supporting people in some of the poorest and most remote places around the world. However, these sentient and intelligent animals are often overlooked. That’s why Brooke provides care, trains owners and animal healthcare providers, and lobbies governments for stronger animal welfare laws – helping these hardworking animals have a life worth living. 📷U.S. National Archives collection, Norbert Schiller Collection/Photorientalist, The National WWII Museum