When the villagers of Morocco’s Excessive Atlas Mountains had been affected by a strong earthquake on Friday, they discovered themselves dealing with a state of affairs that they had by no means recognized earlier than.
They dug desperately within the rubble to rescue family members or discover their our bodies so they may bury them, rescue crews having been held up by mountain roads choked with rocks that fell within the magnitude 6.8 quake.
Heavy equipment was dispatched to clear the roads, and rescue groups labored to open entry factors to the mountain. But it surely took time – time the villagers didn’t have.
The villagers, used to the mountainous terrain, discovered a foolproof technique to maneuver themselves and supplies round: their donkeys.
Images have emerged of villagers utilizing donkeys to maneuver rubble out of the way in which, to get aid provides to extra difficult-to-reach spots, and to maneuver individuals to the place they should go.
The nimble-footed creatures have been in a position to choose their method alongside tracks which are barely seen, loaded with bulging saddlebags and typically hauling an individual on their backs in addition.
Households who misplaced their houses made shelters wherever they may, ensuring to pitch stakes to which they may tie their donkeys. In addition they made positive to feed and preserve caring for the donkeys who, in these circumstances, have develop into rather more than easy beasts of burden.