Donkeys Slaughtered for Skin Export to China

Nearly 6 million donkeys are slaughtered annually for their skins, which are used in Chinese traditional medicine. The NGO Donkey Sanctuary announced that this number could rise to 7 million by 2027.

The skins are exported to China for the production of ejiao, a traditional medicine used to improve blood circulation, slow aging, and boost libido and fertility.

China, whose donkey population has declined from 11 million in 1992 to 1.5 million in 2023, is turning to Africa to meet demand. The African Union banned the trade in donkey skins across the continent in February 2024.

The Donkey Sanctuary emphasizes that this market has transformed donkeys into commodities, fueling a commercial epidemic that particularly affects women and children.