Working Animals

Donkey Skin Trade and Ejiao

The global trade in donkey skins for ejiao traditional Chinese medicine is causing catastrophic population declines across Africa and Asia.

Key Facts

Ejiao production requires approximately 4 million donkeys annually
China has a domestic deficit of 10 million donkeys per year
African donkey populations have halved in some countries in under 10 years
Donkeys are stolen from working families who depend on them for livelihood
Slaughter conditions are often extremely inhumane

Welfare Considerations

Donkeys killed for the skin trade often endure long transport journeys without food or water, brutal capture methods, and inhumane slaughter. Local communities in Africa lose their primary working animals, devastating livelihoods. The speed of population collapse means theft, not trade, is driving supply. Animals stolen from families and killed in makeshift slaughterhouses suffer enormously.

What You Can Do

Oppose ejiao products and the donkey skin trade
Support Donkey Sanctuary campaigns against ejiao
Advocate for import bans on donkey skins
Donate to organizations supporting affected communities in Africa