The donkey sanctuary at Mabe has welcomed its newest resident - a foal born to rescue donkey Lottie - and now needs your help in giving him a name.

Experienced staff at the Flicka Foundation had their suspicions that Lottie may be in foal several months ago. She arrived at the sanctuary last autumn, but donkeys can have a gestation period of up to 14 months, so it can take some time before they show any signs of a pregnancy.

Lottie was in a very bad way when she arrived at the sanctuary, having spent many miserable years as an unlicensed beach donkey, forced to give rides to holidaymakers. She was found in an emaciated condition, was very depressed and required emergency dental treatment to address the terrible condition of her teeth.

The little donkey had to be monitored very closely while she recovered and throughout her pregnancy, but happily she is now thriving at the sanctuary and has safely given birth.

Flicka director Judy Giles was there to witness the birth. “Even though Lottie’s foal wasn’t planned, the miracle of witnessing a new life born is just an incredible privilege," she said. “Seeing Lottie so gentle and tender with her new foal was amazing, but a stark reminder of the cruelty that many of the rescued donkeys at our sanctuary have suffered; taken from their mothers far too young to be sold at live animal markets.”

It is likely that Lottie was previously used as a breeding animal, so will have had many babies taken from her over the years. This time will be different though – safe at the Flicka sanctuary, mum and baby will be given all the specialised care and attention they need and will never face the trauma of being forcibly separated.

The charity has launched a competition to give the little boy foal a name. You can find out more and enter by visiting justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/flicka-foundation/namelottiesfoal.

The sanctuary is open between 11am and 4pm, daily, but is closed on Mondays and Fridays.