The welfare challenges facing the world's 40+ million working donkeys, and the growing threat from the skin trade for ejiao production.
Working donkeys in developing countries often exist in conditions of chronic suffering from overwork, untreated injuries, poor nutrition, and lack of veterinary care. The ejiao trade has added a new dimension - donkeys are being slaughtered at rates exceeding reproduction in many countries, with welfare standards during slaughter often extremely poor. Donkeys in poor welfare situations show behavioral signs of learned helplessness that reflect chronic suffering. Organizations like the Donkey Sanctuary work globally to address these issues.