Grooms at The Donkey Sanctuary have captured some special animal moments of life during lockdown.

Sidmouth Herald: Bill and Ralph at the Sidmouth sanctuary. Picture: The Donkey SanctuaryBill and Ralph at the Sidmouth sanctuary. Picture: The Donkey Sanctuary (Image: Archant)

The Sidmouth-based sanctuary is temporarily closed to visitors, but dedicated grooms are still ensuring the resident donkeys continue to receive the highest level of care.

The normally busy walkways are empty, allowing staff the opportunity to take some of the donkeys on walks around the sanctuary, providing extra exercise and enrichment.

Sidmouth Herald: Dartanyan the Poitou donkey. Picture: The Donkey SanctuaryDartanyan the Poitou donkey. Picture: The Donkey Sanctuary (Image: Archant)

Check out some of these lovely moments captured in photos during the past few months.

With numerous entry points to the sanctuary, it is difficult to safely manage the number of people on the site, encourage responsible social distancing, and ensure the safety of visitors and staff.The situation is being constantly monitored on a local, regional and national level, and when it is safe to do so, the sanctuary will be re-opened and visitors welcomed back.

Sidmouth Herald: Groom Angharad Hall with Shadow. Picture: The Donkey SanctuaryGroom Angharad Hall with Shadow. Picture: The Donkey Sanctuary (Image: Archant)

Visitors can enjoy a virtual live catch up with the resident donkeys by logging onto the charity’s webcams at www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/webcams.

Sidmouth Herald: Groom Clare Currey with Defor and Fluff. Picture: The Donkey SanctuaryGroom Clare Currey with Defor and Fluff. Picture: The Donkey Sanctuary (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth Herald: Groom Pete Pile with Ruby. Picture: The Donkey SanctuaryGroom Pete Pile with Ruby. Picture: The Donkey Sanctuary (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth Herald: Groom Pete Pile with some of the herd in the centre of the Sidmouth sanctuary. Picture: The Donkey SanctuaryGroom Pete Pile with some of the herd in the centre of the Sidmouth sanctuary. Picture: The Donkey Sanctuary (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth Herald: Mule and pony - Lola and Roxy at shelter five (mother and daughter). Picture: The Donkey SanctuaryMule and pony - Lola and Roxy at shelter five (mother and daughter). Picture: The Donkey Sanctuary (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth Herald: Rachel Hill with Pablo in the New Arrival Unit. Picture: The Donkey SanctuaryRachel Hill with Pablo in the New Arrival Unit. Picture: The Donkey Sanctuary (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth Herald: RJ and Seamus in Shelter 3. Picture: The Donkey SanctuaryRJ and Seamus in Shelter 3. Picture: The Donkey Sanctuary (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth Herald: Ruby is one of the tallest donkeys at Slade House Farm. Picture: The Donkey SanctuaryRuby is one of the tallest donkeys at Slade House Farm. Picture: The Donkey Sanctuary (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth Herald: Clare and Georgina walking Seamus and RJ to their new home in Shelter 3. Picture: The Donkey SanctuaryClare and Georgina walking Seamus and RJ to their new home in Shelter 3. Picture: The Donkey Sanctuary (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth Herald: Poitou donkeys. Picture: The Donkey SanctuaryPoitou donkeys. Picture: The Donkey Sanctuary (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth Herald: Poitou donkeys. Picture: The Donkey SanctuaryPoitou donkeys. Picture: The Donkey Sanctuary (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth Herald: Laurel and Hardy at the Sidmouth Sanctuary. Picture: The Donkey SanctuaryLaurel and Hardy at the Sidmouth Sanctuary. Picture: The Donkey Sanctuary (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth Herald: Groom Emma Taylor with RJ. Picture: The Donkey SanctuaryGroom Emma Taylor with RJ. Picture: The Donkey Sanctuary (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth Herald: Laurel and Hardy at the Sidmouth Sanctuary. Picture: The Donkey SanctuaryLaurel and Hardy at the Sidmouth Sanctuary. Picture: The Donkey Sanctuary (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth Herald: Slade House Farm donkeys find shade from the sun. Picture: The Donkey SanctuarySlade House Farm donkeys find shade from the sun. Picture: The Donkey Sanctuary (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth Herald: Slade House Farm donkeys in their field in fron of the restaurant. Picture: The Donkey SanctuarySlade House Farm donkeys in their field in fron of the restaurant. Picture: The Donkey Sanctuary (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth Herald: Groom Clare Daubney with Dartanyan. Picture: The Donkey SanctuaryGroom Clare Daubney with Dartanyan. Picture: The Donkey Sanctuary (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth Herald: Poitou donkeys at the Sidmouth sanctuary. Picture: The Donkey SanctuaryPoitou donkeys at the Sidmouth sanctuary. Picture: The Donkey Sanctuary (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth Herald: Poitou donkeys. Picture: The Donkey SanctuaryPoitou donkeys. Picture: The Donkey Sanctuary (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth Herald: Rescued donkeys Laurel and Hardy enjoy some enrichment. Picture: The Donkey SanctuaryRescued donkeys Laurel and Hardy enjoy some enrichment. Picture: The Donkey Sanctuary (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth Herald: Groom Richard Bailey with Verveine. Picture: The Donkey SanctuaryGroom Richard Bailey with Verveine. Picture: The Donkey Sanctuary (Image: Archant)