The demand for donkey hides has grown exponentially over the past 15 years, driven mainly by demand from China. Lauren Johnston is a specialist on China trade with Africa. She has spent several years looking into the donkey trade, and has just published a book, China, Africa and the Market for Donkeys. She answers questions…
Nairobi — African ministers have pledged to protect millions of donkeys from rampant skin trade, marking a turning point for both the animals and the rural communities that depend on them. At the Pan-African Donkey Conference (PADCo) held in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, leaders signed the Abidjan Declaration, a landmark agreement that upholds the African Union’s…
Nairobi — The rise in global demand for donkey skin used to manufacture ejiao, a traditional Chinese medicine made from donkey skin, has led to widespread donkey theft and sharp drops in household income across the African continent, a new report by The Donkey Sanctuary has revealed. Titled ‘Stolen Donkeys, Stolen Futures’, the study indicates…
