Baby donkey stolen from her mother is found safe

A baby donkey that was stolen from its mother over two weeks ago has been reunited with its overjoyed owners.

Moon, a two-month-old female foal, was taken from Millers Ark farm in Hook, Hampshire, on May 15, having not yet been weaned off her mother’s milk.

Mother Astra was left braying and desperately searching for her foal.

Moon’s disappearance sparked a huge search with thousands of social media users following the case.

But just as hopes were beginning to fade for little Moon, her owners received reports that a member of the public had spotted the donkey and found her on land in a stable in Buckinghamshire on Wednesday.

Staff then travelled more than 60 miles to retrieve her, with help from Thames Valley Police.

The force launched an appeal several days ago after a donkey matching Moon’s description was seen in the back of a car.

A woman said that she had been driving with her friend at about 3pm on May 15 in Farnham when she came to a stop at traffic lights at the junction with the A325.

She said the blue estate car in front of her had a baby donkey in the back.

Moon’s owners said they were “beyond thrilled” to have found the female foal. Just 1ft 6in tall, she is safe and well and has been reunited her with her mother.

A touching video showed the moment Elizabeth Miller, the owner of Miller’s Ark, was reunited with Moon, hugging the donkey as she exclaimed “look who’s back” and “my baby”.

Pamela Jessopp, a volunteer at Miller’s Ark, said: “We are beyond ecstatic, we are trying to find the words but are very emotional. We are thrilled that Moon and mum are back together.

“It had been over two weeks. You don’t give up hope but you think as the timeframe expands ‘are we losing our window? Is she OK?’

“But she was being looked after and she appears to be in good health.

“She was so happy to see us that her tail was swishing.

“Now it’s the job of bonding her with her mother Astra as her her milk has dried up. But we have a solution for that and her mother was very happy to see her.”

She added: “We’ve had numerous people getting in touch with reports. Someone knew who Moon was so we followed it up and travelled to Buckinghamshire and found her.”

The sanctuary posted online: “It is because of all of you, amazing people, who have supported Moon, Astra and the team at Miller’s Ark, sharing this story far and wide – and now you have brought her home.

“A huge thank you to all streams of the media who spread the story further, Thames Valley Police for their quick response and Surrey and Hampshire Police for their work behind the scenes.”