Haim the donkey spent most of his life abused while being tied up to barbed wire, but now he's found a home at the Zoological Center of Tel Aviv, Ramat Gan "Safari," where staff have fitted him with a pair of "healing" trousers to wear after rescuing him from his former home, the Huffington Post reports.
Years of being tied to barbed wire fences have left Haim's legs hairless and and bald with sores and cuts, giving flies easy access to his tender skin. Originally, caretakers gave Haim a pair of socks to wear, but the daily switching of fabric irritated his sensitive skin and wounds, and Haim attempted to scratch off the medical tape that held them in place, the Times of Israel reports.
The Zoological Center of Tel Aviv, Ramat Gan "Safari" is the largest animal sanctuary in the Middle East, home to 1,600 animals. Staff at the zoo came up with the idea to fit Haim with a pair of trousers for his front legs to help protect his wounds and shield them from pesky flies while they heal.
"Caregivers Becca Rivkin and Shira Inbar-Danin came up with the idea of trousers, and set about sewing the creation that Haim now so proudly wears," writes HorseTalk. "Haim's trousers are a bit special, with double layers - a soft material on the inside and a tough outer layer to prevent the flies get to his wounds."
Rivkin and Inbar-Danin are now working on creating second pair of trousers for Haim's back legs, since the first pair has proved successful and his hair will be able to grow back nicely.
According to the Times of Israel, Haim is currently undergoing the long process of emotionally healing as well, gradually learning to trust his caretakers and overcome his fear of children.
Click here to see a photo of Haim the donkey in his new pair of pants next to his caretaker at the Safari in Ramat Gan.
