A tiny baby donkey which was heartlessly stolen from its mother over two weeks ago has finally been found and is safe and well, its overjoyed owners announced today.
The owners of little Moon said they are ‘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.
Hopes had been fading for two-month old Moon, who is only 1ft 6ins tall, after she was snatched from a farm on May 15 having not yet been weaned from her mother’s milk.
Moon’s disappearance sparked a huge search and went viral online, with thousands of social media users following the case.
Today, Moon’s owners at Miller’s Ark – a farm in Hook, Hampshire – revealed they travelled more than 60 miles to Buckinghamshire last night to retrieve the miniature donkey with help from Thames Valley Police.
Miller’s Ark – a farm in Hook, Hampshire – have been reunited with baby donkey Moon who was stolen from his mother more than two weeks ago
A touching video shows the moment Elizabeth Miller, owner of Miller’s Ark, was reunited with Moon, hugging the donkey as she says ‘look who’s back’ and ‘my baby’.
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 timeframe expands ‘are we losing our window? Is she OK?’
‘But, she was being looked after and she appears to be in good health.
Moon and her mother were inseparable – and now a £10,000 reward was offered for the foal’s safe return
The farm’s owner, Elizabeth Miller, believes Moon was abducted while staff were busy tending to tourists
‘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 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.
Distressed donkey Astra, was spotted on camera crying for her newborn foal after it was stolen from an animal farm
‘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.’
Following Moon’s disappearance, her heartbroken mother Astra had been ‘braying’ and desperately searching for her foal.
Days ago police launched an appeal after a donkey matching Moon’s description was seen in the back of a car.
A woman reported to the police that she had been driving with her friend at about 3pm on May 15 on Upper Hale Road in nearby Farnham when she came to a stop at some traffic lights at the junction with A325.
She said the car in front of her, a blue estate of unknown make and model, had a baby donkey in the back.
Moon is a Mediterranean Miniature Donkey, a breed which struggles to regulate its heat, and can need blankets to keep warm at night.
Writing online, social media users following Moon’s case hailed the news of her being found.
Marie Benjamin said: ‘Such wonderful news! I am so happy for you all, especially Astra having her baby back.’
Samantha Ferneley said: ‘Amazing news! I hope they get whoever did this.’
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