Donkey Sanctuary's oldest donkey turns 50
PUBLISHED: 15:46 15 January 2015 | UPDATED: 15:46 15 January 2015
Tessa celebrates 50th Birthday
Archant
Tessa the donkey has spent this week celebrating her 50th birthday.
Tessa celebrates 50th BirthdayFor her birthday celebrations she received a host of birthday cards and a special carrot and donkey feed cake from her groomers.
Tessa arrived at the Donkey Sanctuary in 1965, when Harold Wilson was Prime Minister, the Beatles’ 65 album went to number 1 and the best ranked film was The Sound of Music.
50 YEAR OLD DONKEY, TESSATessa is one of 6,200 rescued and rehomed currently in care of The Donkey Sanctuary in the UK and Europe.
The average UK donkey life expectancy is 27 years of age, so she has outlived many of her peers.
50 YEAR OLD DONKEY, TESSAAnnie Brown The Donkey Sanctuary’s General Farm Manager said: “It’s quite unusual for a donkey to reach 50. The secret of long life is individual care and management.”
With Tessa’s zest for life, a healthy appetite and a love of being groomed, it’s no surprise she is still going strong.
50 YEAR OLD DONKEY, TESSASue Force on of her grooms said: “We all adore Tessa. She’s such a gentle donkey and a pleasure to have around. She just loves being sociable and loves attention and we think that’s what keeps her young. We hope she has many more happy years with us.”
