Thanks to a generous donation from Varkens in Nood towards our on-going efforts to improve a very problematic pig slaughterhouse in Kumasi (Ghana), WACPAW (West Africa Center for the Protection of Animal Welfare) and Eyes on Animals were able to return last week to Kumasi to continue works on the infrastructure that we started in late October.
The sides of the new raceway and restraint box have now been made solid to ease movement, reduce fear and reduce risk of animals getting stuck. The bad news is that some workers continue to throw pigs over the sides of the waiting pens but the better news is that most pigs are being stunned using the captive bolts we taught them how to use (and gave them) instead of clubbing them to death as previously. This is a long-term project which requires patience.
We cannot change such horrible bad habits and old methods in place for centuries overnight. We would like to thank the management of Kumasi plant for opening their eyes and being motivated to improve, to the workers who listen eagerly and are willing to change and to the hard-working dedicated men from WACPAW who, together with Eyes on Animals, don’t look away or give up.