6 Million Donkeys Slaughtered Annually for Skin Export to China

Nearly 6 million donkeys are slaughtered each year for their skin, which is 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, where the donkey population has fallen 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 points out that the growing demand has turned donkeys into commodities, fueling a trade epidemic that particularly affects women and children.