Somewhere in Africa, a farmer watches helplessly as their donkey—the backbone of their livelihood—is stolen in the dead of night. The next morning, it's gone, likely destined for slaughter and export to feed the insatiable global demand for ejiao, a traditional Chinese medicine made from donkey hides. This isn't an isolated incident; it's a rapidly growing crisis threatening not only the survival of Africa's donkey population but also the communities that depend on them.
Ejiao is a gelatin derived from boiling donkey hides. It's been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries, purportedly as a remedy for everything from anemia to anti-aging. While modern science offers little evidence to support its miraculous claims, demand for ejiao has skyrocketed, fueled by a burgeoning middle class in China and aggressive marketing campaigns. The result? An unprecedented slaughter of donkeys worldwide. Africa, home to some of the largest donkey populations, has become a key target for the ejiao industry. The numbers are staggering: According to the Donkey Sanctuary, up to 4.8 million donkeys are killed annually to meet global demand. For a species that reproduces slowly and serves as a lifeline for millions of rural families, this is an unsustainable and catastrophic trajectory.
Donkeys are more than beasts of burden; they are the engines of rural economies. They fetch water, transport goods, and enable farmers to access markets. In many communities, especially in arid and semi-arid regions, owning a donkey can mean the difference between survival and poverty.
The loss of a donkey isn't just a blow to the animal population; it's a direct assault on human livelihoods. Families without donkeys often face increased workloads, reduced income, and spiraling poverty. This makes the illegal donkey trade not just an environmental crisis but also a human rights issue.
Recognizing the scale of the problem, the African Union (AU) has begun to take action. In 2021, the AU adopted a resolution urging member states to regulate the donkey trade and crack down on the illegal slaughter and export of donkey hides. The resolution emphasized the need to protect rural livelihoods and maintain ecological balance.
The AU has also called for increased cross-border cooperation to tackle the smuggling networks that drive the trade. However, implementation remains a challenge, as many countries lack the resources or political will to enforce these policies effectively.
At the national level, several African countries have introduced bans or restrictions on the donkey trade. Kenya, for instance, banned the commercial slaughter of donkeys in 2020 after public outcry and evidence of widespread theft and environmental degradation. Yet, enforcement has been patchy, with reports of illegal slaughterhouses continuing to operate under the radar.
South Africa, on the other hand, has struggled to impose similar restrictions due to its more established trade networks. Meanwhile, Niger and Burkina Faso have implemented total bans on donkey exports, citing the devastating impact on rural communities. These bans have been effective in reducing the immediate slaughter rates but have also led to increased smuggling into neighboring countries with looser regulations.
The battle to save Africa's donkeys requires a multi-pronged approach:
Africa's donkeys are disappearing at an alarming rate, and the consequences ripple far beyond the animals themselves. This is a crisis that affects livelihoods, ecosystems, and the social fabric of rural communities. The time to act is now.
Policymakers, conservationists, and citizens must come together to address the root causes of the trade and protect these invaluable animals. Because if we lose Africa's donkeys, we lose much more than an animal; we lose a vital part of what keeps rural Africa moving forward.