Bugsy, a 55-year-old donkey residing at a Canadian animal sanctuary, now surpasses the present world file holder for oldest donkey, however is not within the books attributable to lacking paperwork.
MOOSE JAW — One four-legged critter in Moose Jaw practically earned a spot within the Guinness E-book of World Data for being the oldest residing donkey this yr, as Bugsy, a 55-year-old donkey residing on the Free To Be Me Animal Sanctuary now surpasses the present world file holder.
Regardless of in any other case qualifying for the file, Bugsy sadly misplaced his massive likelihood due to lacking paperwork that the record-keeping group required as proof of his age.
“We really seemed into placing him into the Guinness E-book of World Data,” mentioned Louanne Shropshire, proprietor of Free To Be Me Animal Sanctuary.
“We seemed into it, and the oldest donkey that they had registered was (54) years outdated,” she defined. “(Bugsy) is 55 this yr.”
The existing record holder is a donkey from Glenwood, New Mexico named Suzy who died in 2002 on the age of 54.
When Bugsy took up residence on the sanctuary, Shropshire mentioned his earlier homeowners stored him for 35 years earlier than bringing him into her care. Bugsy then remained with the sanctuary ever since.
“That will make him 55 this yr,” she confirmed after one other cautious calculation.
In an unlucky flip of occasions, Bugsy’s declare to fame was denied due to this burden of proof.
“My grandkids really contacted (Bugsy’s) mother and father and tried to search out his documentation,” Shropshire mentioned. Sadly, she famous, his former homeowners had moved a number of instances and ended up throwing out the paperwork from Bugsy’s earlier days.
Bugsy’s story started with the grandfather of the household who donated him to Shropshire’s animal sanctuary. He remained together with his former household and was introduced into the care of the youthful technology whereas they lived and labored on the farm.
“When their children all grew up, they determined they had been going to search out (Bugsy) a brand new house, so that they introduced him right here (to the sanctuary),” Shropshire recalled.
In the present day, Bugsy appears unaffected over dropping his shot at worldwide fame and enjoys nothing greater than a recent, crisp apple every morning and the prospect to relaxation in his personal little paddock. He additionally seems to be remarkably nicely for his age and nonetheless welcomes common guests.
For comparability, donkeys sometimes stay for round 25 to 30 years, and people who are supplied distinctive care usually stay as much as across the age of 40.
Though it’s irritating to overlook this uncommon alternative over misplaced paperwork, Shropshire stays optimistic and mentioned she’s nonetheless happy with him.
“I nonetheless say he’s the oldest donkey in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan,” she proudly introduced.
If you want to congratulate Bugsy on (virtually) qualifying for his Guinness World File and meet the opposite exceptional animals on the Free To Be Me Animal Sanctuary, name 306-684-2231 to guide a tour.
The sanctuary opens from 9 a.m. to three p.m. each day and is located approximately 6.8 kilometres west of Moose Jaw along Caribou Street West and is simply previous thirty second Avenue Southwest.
