Overview: Donkeys are among the world's most important working animals, supporting the livelihoods of approximately 500 million people across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Yet donkey welfare is chronically neglected — both in welfare policy and research. This page synthesizes current science on donkey behavior, cognition, pain, and the welfare challenges they face.
Global Population and Roles
Key Statistics:
~40-44 million donkeys worldwide (FAO estimates)
Concentrated in Africa (~37%), Asia (~43%), Americas (~18%)
Ethiopia (~8 million), Pakistan (~5 million), China (~3 million) — largest populations
Primary roles: transport (carrying loads, riding), agricultural work (plowing, threshing), water/firewood carrying
Also used for meat and milk (niche markets), and donkey hide for ejiao (traditional Chinese medicine) — a growing and serious welfare concern
Donkey Biology and Behavior
Unique Characteristics
Donkeys are not simply small horses. They evolved in semi-arid environments (African wild ass ancestors) and have distinct physiological and behavioral characteristics:
Pain stoicism: Donkeys evolved in environments with limited escape options from predators — showing pain openly is costly. As a result, they mask pain behaviors far more than horses, making welfare assessment very challenging
Thermoregulation: Less efficient than horses at dissipating heat through sweating; more susceptible to hyperthermia under heavy work
Nutritional adaptation: Efficient hindgut fermenters adapted to low-quality forage; prone to hyperlipaemia (fat mobilization crisis) when stressed or underfed
Social structure: Form strong pair bonds; isolating donkeys causes significant stress
Longevity: Can live 25-40 years with good care; many working donkeys are overworked and die young
Donkey Pain Assessment:
The Donkey Pain Face Scale, developed at the Donkey Sanctuary's veterinary centre, provides a validated tool for assessing pain from facial expressions. Key indicators include:
Orbital tightening (squinting)
Nose/lip changes (muscle tension)
Ear position changes
Head position and neck tension
This scale is essential because donkeys in pain often remain standing and appear quiet — easily missed by untrained observers.
Cognitive Abilities
Research has revealed donkeys possess sophisticated cognitive capacities:
Long-term memory for locations, routes, and human identities (decades in some cases)
Discriminate between familiar and unfamiliar humans and react differently
Problem-solving ability — can figure out gate latches and food-access puzzles
Social learning — learn from watching other donkeys
Emotional contagion — show responses to distress vocalizations of other donkeys
Working Donkey Welfare Challenges
Common Welfare Problems in Working Donkeys:
Overloading: Many working donkeys carry loads exceeding recommended limits (max ~30% body weight for sustained work); wounds from improper load distribution are common
Ill-fitting equipment: Poorly designed harnesses and pack saddles cause sores, nerve damage, and chronic pain
Dental disease: Severe dental overgrowth is extremely common in working populations; causes pain and poor body condition
Hoof care neglect: Overgrown and cracked hooves cause chronic lameness
Lack of water and rest: Working donkeys in hot climates often receive inadequate water and no shade
Harsh handling: Beating with sticks is common in many working animal contexts; causes fear and acute pain
No veterinary care: Most working donkeys never receive professional veterinary attention
Ejiao and Donkey Hide Trade
Ejiao, a traditional Chinese medicine product made from boiled donkey hides, has experienced dramatic demand growth since the 2010s. Welfare implications are severe:
An estimated 4-5 million donkeys slaughtered annually for ejiao
Global donkey population declining as a result — particularly in Africa
Slaughter conditions in informal operations are often extremely poor
Donkeys stolen from smallholder farmers (disrupting livelihoods of the poorest communities)
Long-distance transport in poor conditions prior to slaughter
The Donkey Sanctuary and others have campaigned for ejiao regulation and alternatives
Welfare Assessment Tools
Tool
What It Measures
Developed By
Donkey Pain Face Scale
Acute and chronic pain
The Donkey Sanctuary
Body Condition Scoring (BCS)
Nutritional status
Multiple organizations
Welfare Assessment Protocol (WAP)
Comprehensive field welfare
The Donkey Sanctuary / SPANA
Grimace Scale adaptations
Pain during procedures
University of Bristol
Behavioral repertoire checklist
Positive welfare indicators
Ongoing research
Key Organizations
The Donkey Sanctuary (UK): World's largest donkey welfare organization; operates globally, funds research, provides free veterinary care in field programs
SPANA (Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad): Veterinary care for working animals including donkeys
Brooke: Focuses on working equines; strong programs in Ethiopia, Kenya, India, Pakistan
World Horse Welfare: Broader equine welfare; some donkey programs
Improving Donkey Welfare
Evidence shows effective interventions include:
Community-based training for owners in harness fitting, load limits, and basic health care
Mobile veterinary clinics providing dental care, hoof trimming, and wound treatment
Introduction of improved harness designs that reduce pressure points
Advocacy for donkey welfare inclusion in national animal welfare legislation
Campaigns against ejiao trade and promotion of alternatives