After Landmine Explosion Kills His Owner and Two Children, Horse Stands by Bodies For 37 Hours

By: Brittany Bevis

Sometimes, animals behave in ways that simply astound and amaze, acting completely against their God-given nature. That’s exactly what happened when a grey stallion named “Wassadu” was involved in a horrific landmine explosion in Gambia, Africa.

The Gambia is a country in West Africa that’s surrounded by Senegal on all sides, except for its western coastline on the Atlantic Ocean. It is bordered by Casamance to the south. The Gambia is the smallest country in Africa.

According to The Gambia Horse and Donkey Trust, a small charity based out of the United Kingdom and Gambia, landmines are practically unheard of in this area. “It is thought that either this accident occurred just on the border or a landmine may have been washed over the border of Casamance during the rains.”

While it is unknown how the landmine came to rest on the road that Wassadu and his owner were traveling down that day, what is certain is the devastation it caused for one local family. GHDT Yard Manager, Paul Jatta, explains.

“On the road where this man was going with his two kids, there was a landmine,” Jatta says. “By the time the horse crossed, the [wagon] rail went on top of the landmine and then it exploded. From there, the father and his two kids were killed instantly. The horse was injured at the back [left hip]. In four or five days, somebody called us, and we went to see the horse. We hired a lorry [trailer] to bring the horse in and started with treatment. It was very difficult.”

Horses are known to be flight animals, whose first instinct is to flee from dangerous or threatening situations. Although the cart Wassadu had been pulling was blown to pieces, and he sustained a horrible injury to his left hip, he stayed by his deceased owner’s body for 37 hours until the charity arrived to take him away.

Wassadu came to the GHDT in April of last year. Immediately, Jatta and his crew began work on debriding the wound, administering tetanus shots, and giving antibiotics, which are very expensive and not as readily available as they are in the United States.

Wassadu has been at the center for seven months now. He is now the property of the GHDT, because the owner’s widow is unable to care for him following the loss of her husband and two sons. However, she still visits him regularly.

If you would like more information about The Gambia Horse and Donkey Trust, visit www.gambiahorseanddonkey.org.uk.