Donkey Skin Trade: An Emerging Global Welfare Crisis

The global trade in donkey hides for traditional Chinese medicine is causing population collapses in Africa, Asia, and Latin America with severe welfare consequences.

Key Facts

Ejiao, a traditional medicine ingredient, requires donkey skin and drives global demand
Global donkey population is declining rapidly - estimated 53 million remain, falling fast
Donkeys are often sourced through theft and transported under extremely poor conditions
Slaughter conditions in many supplying countries involve severe welfare harm
The trade threatens both working donkey welfare and the livelihoods of communities that depend on them

Welfare Considerations

The donkey skin trade represents one of the most severe and under-recognised animal welfare crises globally. Donkeys are the primary working animals for hundreds of millions of poor rural households in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Their theft and slaughter for ejiao production removes essential livelihoods while causing severe welfare harm during transport and slaughter. The trade has grown so rapidly that donkey populations are collapsing in supplying regions. International pressure, import bans in several countries, and consumer education are the primary levers for reducing this welfare crisis.

What You Can Do

Avoid products containing ejiao or donkey hide-derived ingredients
Support organisations like the Donkey Sanctuary campaigning against the donkey skin trade
Advocate for import bans on donkey skin products in your country
Raise awareness about the donkey skin trade among people interested in animal welfare