Working in extreme weather
In the 1920s, Marshal Lyautey, the French Governor of Morocco said “Morocco is a cold country with a hot sun”. This especially true during the winter months in the Middle Atlas Mountains, in the eastern part of the country.
This is probably the poorest part of Morocco, and the localities are ovens for six months of the year, and freezing deserts for the rest.
But despite these conditions working animal do not rest, and neither do SPANA’s staff at our remote refuges in Khenifra and Midelt.
In these rural part of Morocco, 75% of all motive power still comes from working equines. There is real poverty here – the farmers struggle to raise crops and livestock on the productive soils.
Yet, one sees little signs of cruelty as the animals thrive or struggle alongside their owners, depending on the season and the weather. And everybody everywhere is anxious to express their gratitude to SPANA for its help.
Last December, our team at the Khenifra was working hard on a worming campaign – a highly efficient operation that treated 350 horses, mules and donkeys in about three hours. This programme is aiming to reach up to 35,000 animals in Morocco this year.
And at our refuge in Midelt, new stables, treatment areas and classrooms have been built – of course with the obligatory ponds for the visiting schoolchildren.
Even more important is that all our staff at these centres have that vital SPANA characteristic – compassion for animals and dedication to their work.
More about:
- Education as the solution to animal suffering
- Families rely on animals for their livelihoods
- SPANA in Morocco