The Travel Detective

Giving Back: Helping Out at Donkey Sanctuary Aruba

donkeysWhen you’re planning a trip to an island destination, you might think only of sun, sand, and surf. But one island has a tourism plan that utilizes locals in the community who are dedicated to saving animals. If you’re interested in giving back while visiting Aruba, you might want to check out Donkey Sanctuary Aruba.

For more than 500 years, donkeys were the main form of transportation on the island of Aruba. Then cars were introduced and donkeys were no longer needed. As a result, thousands of donkeys were released into the wild.

Today, you can find them on the side of the road or wandering around near the beach. But what about when the donkeys become injured or ill?

In 1970, the number of wild donkeys fell to only 20 on the island. It seemed like they might disappear, and along with them, a big part of Aruba’s history. That’s where Donkey Sanctuary Aruba came in to help. This non-profit organization has a simple mission: save the donkeys of Aruba.

Today, the sanctuary has about 200 donkeys, and about 45 volunteers from around the world. If you’re interested in helping out, contact Desiree through the organization’s website. Most volunteers can work four-hour shifts between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

To learn more about Donkey Sanctuary Aruba, watch travel correspondent Ricki Lander’s report in this Giving Back exclusive from The Travel Detective season two.

For more information about how you can give back on your next trip, check out: