Farm Animals

Donkey Skin Trade Welfare Crisis

A rapidly growing global trade in donkey skins for ejiao (traditional medicine) is devastating donkey populations across Africa and Asia.

Key Facts

Global ejiao production requires approximately 4 million donkey hides annually
African donkey populations have declined by 25-50% in regions with skin trade presence
Donkeys are stolen from working communities whose livelihoods depend on them
Processing facilities often involve inhumane slaughter of stolen or trafficked animals

Welfare Considerations

The donkey skin trade represents one of the most acute emerging welfare crises in working animal populations. Donkeys are stolen from impoverished communities, transported long distances under brutal conditions, and slaughtered in unregulated facilities. The loss of working donkeys devastates livelihoods as well as animal welfare. The scale of demand has outpaced supply from within the formal trade sector.

What You Can Do

Support organizations campaigning against the donkey skin trade
Advocate for national and international restrictions on donkey hide trade
Refuse to purchase products containing ejiao from donkey hide sources
Support the Donkey Sanctuary and Brooke Africa in protecting at-risk populations