Chinese medicine ejiao has left the world’s donkey population in crisis, British study finds
- Demand for gelatin obtained from donkey hide is fuelling a collapse in numbers across Africa, South America and Asia
- Charity says global population could be cut in half within five years if governments do not intervene
A study by a British charity dedicated to protecting donkeys says soaring demand in China for the traditional medicine ejiao has left the global population of the animal “in crisis”.
The Donkey Sanctuary, which is based in Devon, says their number could be cut by half in as little as five years if nothing is done to halt the largely unregulated trade in the mammals’ skins.
The report says populations are “collapsing” across Africa, South America and Asia as millions of donkeys are slaughtered every year to meet Chinese demand for ejiao, a glue or gelatin obtained from donkey hide.
The study found that pregnant mares, foals and sick donkeys are killed to meet growing demand, while some animals are stolen from their owners by dealers.
Mike Baker, CEO of The Donkey Sanctuary, said “never before have donkeys faced this level of threat”.
“These dependable, hard-working, sentient animals experience appalling suffering as a result of the activities of skin traders across the world,” he said. “They are often transported across long distances, without food, water or rest, and they can be held for days in yards without shelter, before being slaughtered in often brutal conditions.”
