03 April 2025

A sad farewell to retired Adoption Star Del Boy

A donkey laying down in a field resting

We're really sorry to announce that retired Adoption Star Del Boy has passed away. 

Del Boy was very sadly put to sleep on Friday 14th March 2025. He was 23 years old. 

Del Boy arrived at Redwings in 2010, with his best friend (and partner in crime!) Rodney. They became Redwings residents after the animal educations centre where they lived sadly had to close due to the recession.

Del Boy and Rodney lived at Redwings Ada Cole in Essex, and were known by all for their mischievous ways! They loved nothing more than playing up to a crowd, and having them watch their rough and tumble games. 

When Rodney had to move to Redwings Hapton HQ, Del Boy found a new (much more gentle!) form of friendship with lovely Dotty - with a touching relationship, much more based on love and cuddles as opposed to rough and tumble! 

We made the decision to retire Del Boy from the Adoption Scheme in 2019, due to recurrent lameness issues, caused be osteoarthritis and poor hoof quality. Our boy had been a fantastic ambassador for Redwings, and cheeky fun-loving donkeys everywhere, and he deserved to put his hooves up and enjoy a retirement fit for such a distinguished gent! 

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"Even though Del Boy could be a little rascal, he was an incredibly handsome donkey who demanded attention wherever he went. He had the most amazing, striped legs that made him stand out. Del you were a legend and we will miss you."

Hollie and Jo

Redwings Ada Cole team

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A donkey is stood at the fence in front of a lot of visitors
Del Boy with some of his many fans.
 
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In later life

 

Del Boy’s team of carers at Redwings Ada Cole had done a wonderful job of caring for him since then, and our vets regularly assessed him, including prescribing medication to keep him comfortable.

Recently, our vets had increased this dosage, to the maximum amount we could safely give a donkey his size. Despite this, very sadly this week Del Boy was not himself. His carers noticed he was very quiet, and weight-shifting on his legs – indicating that very sadly the pain relief was not successfully managing his pain. 

Our local vets attended as soon as they could, but despite their intervention Del Boy did not improve and so we had to make the heartbreaking decision to put him to sleep to ensure he did not suffer.

We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has shown Del Boy such friendship and support throughout his time at Redwings. Thanks to you he was able to live such a happy life at Redwings, and his fellow residents are too. 

RIP Del Boy, we will never forget you. In the words of your famous namesake - you really were 'lovely jubbly'! 

If you adopt Del Boy, you will have received a letter explaining what happens to your adoption and how you can continue your support. 

Please note: If you'd like to make a donation in his memory, you can do so here, thank you.

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Redwings Press Office

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