Mike the donkey rescued from floods recovering well
A donkey who was towed to safety after becoming trapped by floodwater in Ireland is making a good recovery.
“Mike” made international headlines earlier this week after he was rescued from his flooded field with a boat and life ring.
His owner found the eight-year-old donkey stranded on the morning of 6 December after the River Laune burst its banks.
He contacted search and rescue, but they were unable to attend, so Suzanne Gibbons, owner of Animal Heaven Animal Rescue (AHAR) in Crag, Castleisland, came to the rescue.
She called Mike Fleming, of Killorglin Rowing Club, who also offered his help.
Suzanne, Mike and AHAR volunteer Declan Murphy, sailed out to the stranded equine and attached the life-ring to his body before a 30-minute tow back to shore.
“The donkey was only in the field because the storm had blown down the gate to his stable and he had made his way to his usual field,” Sharon Majek from the charity told H&H on Friday (11 December).
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
“The river banks burst, causing the field to flood and owner found him in the morning when he went down to tend to them.
“The owner was in tears while they were trying to rescue Mike, and was very happy and relieved when they got him back to land.”
The owner agreed that the donkey would be taken back to AHAR for veterinary treatment and until his own stable was repaired.
“He has been made a real fuss of — everyone who goes to AHAR has been to see him and he has been thoroughly spoilt,” added Ms Majek.
“The phones on Monday were ringing off the hook, and the number of messages wishing Mike the donkey well has been incredible.
“Most days we get a lot of messages both on the page and by email, but since Sunday they have more than doubled.”
Mike has been given antibiotics to prevent pneumonia and he has been kept “warm and well fed”.
He has also made friends with a three-legged goat named Angel (pictured, top).
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
Lucy is an experienced news journalist, reporter and presenter. Since joining the Horse & Hound team in 2015, Lucy has reported from major global sporting events including the Tokyo Paralympic Games and multiple European Championships, as well as Badminton, Burghley and London, to name a few. She has covered current affairs and sports news across the full spectrum of equestrian disciplines and racing, as well as human and equine welfare, industry news and court cases.