Flying Donkeys Set to Arrive at LAX
Kona Nightingales given a new life on the Mainland by the Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue
Upwards of 100 wild donkeys from Hawaii’s Big Island are scheduled to fly into LAX on September 17th, 2011 at approximately 12:30am. These donkeys were captured as part of a population control project organized by the Humane Society of the United States. As there are few available homes for the donkeys in Hawaii, they are being brought to the mainland to the Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue (PVDR) , our nation’s largest donkey rescue with facilities all across the country.
Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue was established as a non-profit organization in the year 2000 in Acton, CA by founders Mark and Amy Meyers. The Meyers, along with their staff, have since rescued thousands of donkeys from abuse, neglect, abandonment in 27 states as well as captured hundreds of wild burros throughout the Western States that were under threat of destruction.
The Meyers will fly to Kona Airport just prior to September 16th departure to take charge of the loading of the donkeys. Pacific Airlift will be transporting the donkeys aboard a specially modified cargo plane that was designed to transport cattle and horses. The plane will be met in Los Angeles by Peaceful Valley’s transport teams and taken to PVDR’s 140 acre California Facility in the Tehachapi Mountains near Bakersfield, CA.
Donkeys were taken to the Hawaiian Islands in the early 1800’s to help in the farming of sugar and coffee. As the processes became more mechanized, the donkeys were released onto lava flows where they thrived and multiplied. Residential and commercial developments have come into direct conflict with the donkeys.
The Hawaiian word for donkey is: KEKAKE.
These donkeys will be made available for adoption at a special Adoption Fair held during PVDR’s Open House: DONKEY TOWN 2011 on October 29, 2011. Information regarding the open house, adoption policy, where to donate, and other ways you can help can be found on the Hawaiian Donkey Rescue project page or the PVDR homepage.