Tengen was born at the DONKEY SANCTUARY OF CANADA on May 16, 1998. Here is what happened:
Tibet, Tengen’s mother, is a little Standard jennet who we estimate was born in 1994. She is unusually shaggy, with a long gray and brown coat of hair. She was brought to the Sanctuary in April 1997 after having been impounded by a humane society inspector who had considered her physical condition to be a t a dangerously low level.
After her arrival at the DSC, Tibet settled in well. Steadily, she gained weight and, gradually, her overall condition improved, due in great part to the large amount of exercise that she received at the Farm. It was not until she was well into her eighth month that we realized that Tibet had become pregnant before her arrival at the Sanctuary. (Here at the DSC, we don’t buy, sell or breed animals but, of course, if a jennet is already pregnant upon arrival, we will give lifelong care to the foal.)
Tibet carried the foal for 12 months and 2 weeks and then early one morning, Tengen was born in a very healthy condition.
During his first year, Tengen and Tibet were always together. Gradually, thereafter, Tibet weaned Tengen. Over the years, he has grown and matured into a lively, curious adult donkey who enjoys to frolic with his gelding companions. Come day’s end, however, Tengen can almost always be found right at his mother’s side.