Push Admin

Viral: Singing donkey becomes Indian sensation

Article (news)

Archana Thiyagarajan, Agence France-Presse

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.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 &quot;singing&quot; went viral.Staff at the centre -- where cats, dogs, cows and even large buffaloes are cared for -- were playing with Emily when she started crooning.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.&quot;Usually our videos have a lot of sick animals and animals being rescued, and it&#x27;s generally heavy and sad,&quot; RESQ Charitable Trust head Jessica Roberts told AFP.&quot;So for a change we decided to put this video of Emily singing, and the response from the public has been amazing.&quot;Roberts said they were inspired by Harriet, a singing donkey from Ireland who also shot to social media fame for her &quot;operatic singing&quot;.&quot;I think Emily&#x27;s singing started because she likes to beg for treats. The moment she sees a treat bucket she starts singing,&quot; she added.Donkeys and mules are often exploited in many Indian industries, where they are used as beasts of burden in harsh conditions.Emily&#x27;s life has been tough and her road to recovery -- and budding musical stardom -- has been long.She was found abandoned on the streets two years ago with a prolapsed uterus and infected wounds.When RESQ staff brought Emily in, she was &quot;sad, depressed and hostile&quot;, Roberts said.&quot;But slowly over time she started trusting the staff, she started trusting us and now she&#x27;s openly greedy and even begs for food.&quot;at/grk/gle© Agence France-Presse

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.

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.

Viral: Singing donkey becomes Indian sensation

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

News

Viral: Singing donkey becomes Indian sensation

Archana Thiyagarajan,

Agence France-Presse

Published August 09, 2019 09:13 AM PHT

|

Updated August 09, 2019 09:56 AM PHT

Read More:

pune

singing donkey

india

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.