Two-month-old donkey returned to Hampshire home

A baby donkey that was stolen from its mother more than two weeks ago has finally been returned and is safe and well, her owners announced today. A heartwarming clip surfaced online showing the moment Elizabeth Miller, owner of Miller’s Ark, was reunited with Moon, as she hugged the donkey as she said: “Look who’s back!” and “My baby”.

Two-month old Moon was separated from her mother after being taken from Miller’s Ark in Hook, Hampshire on Monday, May 15.

Overjoyed with the news, the owners of little Moon said they were “beyond thrilled” to have found the female foal in good health and reunited her with her mother after her plight captured the hearts of thousands.

The disappearance of the baby donkey led to a huge nationwide search which went viral online, with thousands of social media users following the case.

On Thursday, Moon’s owners at Miller’s Ark – a farm in Hook, Hampshire said that they travelled more than 60 miles to Buckinghamshire last night to retrieve the miniature donkey with help from Thames Valley Police.

Relieved volunteer Pamela Jessopp said they dashed up to Buckinghamshire following reports that a member of public had spotted Moon and found her on land in a stable.

Ms Jessopp said: “We are beyond ecstatic, we are trying to find the words but are very emotional. We are thrilled that Moon and mum are back together.

“It had been over two weeks, you don’t give up hope but you think as the time frame expands ‘are we losing our window? Is she OK?’

“But, she was being looked after and she appears to be in good health.

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“She was so happy to see us that her tail was swishing.

“Now it’s the job of bonding her with her mother Astra as her milk has dried up. But we have a solution for that and her mother was very happy to see her.”

She added: “We’ve had numerous people getting in touch with reports. Someone knew who Moon was so we followed it up and travelled to Buckinghamshire and found her.”

Miller’s Ark also stated online: “It is because of all of you, amazing people, who have supported Moon, Astra and the team at Miller’s Ark, sharing this story far and wide – and now you have brought her home.

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“A huge thank you to all streams of the media who spread the story further, Thames Valley Police for their quick response and Surrey and Hampshire Police for their work behind the scenes.”

Miller’s Ark launched a national campaign last week in a bid to secure the foal’s return.

It offered a £10,000 reward for information leading to the baby donkey being reunited with its mum, Astra.

Following Moon’s disappearance, her heartbroken mother Astra had been “braying” and desperately searching for her foal.

Moon is a Mediterranean Miniature Donkey, a breed which struggles to regulate its heat, and can need blankets to keep warm at night.

Last Monday, violent scenes erupted after CCTV footage emerged of a marked South Wales police van following the teens.

Nine people aged between 15 and 21 were arrested following the carnage.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct launched an investigation after the force denied any pursuit took place.

Footage from a Ring doorbell cam showed two boys racing down the road and were soon followed by a police van that did not have it’s blue lights on.

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