International equine charity Brooke has stressed that the global donkey skin trade is an “urgent crisis” and a serious threat to donkey populations. Demand from China drives the trade, which fuels the trade from Africa and Latin America.
China Animal Agriculture Association has stated it needs to increase its access to donkeys to meet demand for
ejiao, a gelatin boiled from donkey skins which is used in skincare and food supplements. Six million donkey skins are used each year for ejiao, with the majority sourced from Africa.
“This cruel trade, which devastates communities globally, is being fuelled by demand from China,” said Head of Global Policy at Brooke, Anna Marry. “We must secure a global ban or could see Africa lose half its donkey population by 2040.
“The ongoing threat to donkey populations from the illegal skin trade is an urgent crisis that requires immediate action. Demand in China is driving up prices for donkeys, which has devastating effects on communities where these animals are sourced.
“The donkeys are often stolen to meet the demand and our research in Africa exposes horrific cruelty. Donkeys are walked for miles to exhaustion, then bludgeoned and beaten before their throats are slit.”
Working animals, including donkeys, are a vital asset to African communities, which home the world’s largest donkey populations.
Although many countries have banned the trade of donkey skins, working animals are being stolen to be traded illegally, leaving communities at risk and, in many cases, women and girls then taking on the role of water-gatherer, meaning they can no longer have access to education.
“When there is no donkey to do the work, the women and children often become donkeys themselves – doing hard labour to source vital water for health and crop irrigation,” said Ms Marry.
“Breeding and farming will never be the answer to the growing demand for the skin from these beautiful and sentient animals.
“We must unite to end this exploitation and secure a future where donkeys are valued and safeguarded, for generations to come.”
Lead image by Brooke
