PUNE, India: An unorthodox Indian music star has won hearts online with her big teeth, lustrous white coat, four legs and melodic braying at mealtime.
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Emily, a donkey living at an animal shelter in the Indian city of Pune, became an internet sensation last year after a clip of her “singing” went viral.
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Staff at the centre — where cats, dogs, cows and even large buffaloes are cared for — were playing with Emily when she started crooning.
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They recorded a video of Emily showing off her vocal range and uploaded it onto their social media page, where it became an instant hit.
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“Usually our videos have a lot of sick animals and animals being rescued, and it’s generally heavy and sad,” RESQ Charitable Trust head Jessica Roberts told AFP.
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“So for a change we decided to put this video of Emily singing, and the response from the public has been amazing.”
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Roberts said they were inspired by Harriet, a singing donkey from Ireland who also shot to social media fame for her “operatic singing”.
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“I think Emily’s singing started because she likes to beg for treats. The moment she sees a treat bucket she starts singing,” she added.
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Donkeys and mules are often exploited in many Indian industries, where they are used as beasts of burden in harsh conditions.
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Emily’s life has been tough and her road to recovery — and budding musical stardom — has been long.
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She was found abandoned on the streets two years ago with a prolapsed uterus and infected wounds.
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When RESQ staff brought Emily in, she was “sad, depressed and hostile”, Roberts said.
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“But slowly over time she started trusting the staff, she started trusting us and now she’s openly greedy and even begs for food.”
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