Working Animals International reveals life through donkey’s eyes this World Animal Day

2 October 2026: A donkey in Mauritania is providing a rare glimpse of daily life from a working animal’s perspective in new GoPro-style footage.

The film, released by Working Animals International ahead of World Animal Day (4 October), follows 13-year-old Lagdaf as he transports water through the streets of Nouakchott, offering an animal’s-eye view of the heat, traffic and plastic waste he encounters along the way.

Lagdaf is one of around 70,000 working donkeys transporting water in the capital, where many households do not have direct access to piped clean water. These donkeys can work up to 12 hours a day, travelling as far as 42 kilometres while transporting loads of up to 400kg in temperatures that can exceed 40°C.

The footage forms part of Working Animals International’s World Animal Day campaign, which invites people to see the world through the eyes of working animals and better understand both their contribution and the challenges they face.

These challenges include increasingly extreme weather linked to the climate crisis, plastic waste, including bags which can be deadly if ingested, and busy roads where animals risk serious injury or death.

“I work with Lagdaf and feed my family with what I earn. I rely on this work as I have no alternative. He is irreplaceable. The heat is intense and very hard on my donkey. He suffers just as a human being would. Humans and donkeys endure the same heat and strain.”

“Water donkeys are a lifeline for many communities in Mauritania. It is common to see over 60 water donkeys in line at the water pumps in Nouakchott, ready to support their communities. Mauritania experiences frequent droughts and reduced rainfall, making the work of these animals more important than ever.”

Working animals such as donkeys, horses, mules and camels play a vital role in communities around the world. An estimated 200 million working animals help around 600 million people access food, water, transport and income, yet their welfare is often overlooked (1).

Working Animals International works alongside communities, partners and professionals to improve working animal welfare. This includes increasing access to essential veterinary care, and supporting owners to develop the skills, knowledge and practical solutions they need to look after their animals.

“While this footage follows the daily life of one working donkey, it tells a much bigger story. Through Lagdaf’s eyes, viewers gain a unique insight into the experience of millions of working animals around the world, whose lives and contributions are too often unseen. This film encourages us to recognise their importance and understand the wider circumstances that shape their lives, so that their welfare needs can be better understood and addressed.”

Working Animals International works with communities, partners and professionals around the world to improve the welfare of working animals and increase recognition of their contribution. In 2025, together with its partners, the charity reached 550,000 working animals, helping to improve their welfare. Through practical programmes, training, veterinary support and community engagement, the charity helps working animals live healthier, safer and more valued lives.

Link to film: https://youtu.be/beQ1F8fW1wc, please contact Working Animals International for full access to photos and b-roll.