Donkeys Gather To Say A Final Farewell To Their Fallen Friend

This is the heartwarming moment that a group of donkeys at a sanctuary in Holland gathered to remember the life of their fallen friend.

Bram the donkey first arrived at the Donkey Farm Foundation almost two years ago - having spent the most part of his life suffering from serious neglect and loneliness.

But he soon flourished at the sanctuary and developed strong friendships with the other donkeys, who had often been subjected to similar plights.

Sadly, Bram died earlier this year after suffering from a lung condition, and it was only a matter of time before the sanctuary’s donkeys turned out in their droves to say a final farewell to their buddy.

Sanctuary founder Jacqueline van den Berg explained how the animals had gone into a deep period of mourning.

‘Bram is a part of their herd and they respect him’, she told The Dodo.

‘The leader of the pack, the black and white donkey, bites him. Not because he’s angry but because he want Bram to get up. The donkeys are mourning deeply.’

She added: ‘Every time I see the same reaction from the herd when a donkey dies. It’s real mourning for a close friend. You can hear them cry. It’s not the same sound as braying.

‘Donkeys make friends for life, and they can even die of grief.’

And while Bram has now passed away - he’ll forever remain at the sanctuary in spirit, after his ashes were spread underneath an oak tree.

Heartwarming stuff.