Donkeys are being stolen and slaughtered for their hides, which are then processed into wellness products sold globally, including in the UK, as revealed by an investigation. Over six million donkeys are killed annually to produce ejiao, a substance touted as a remedy for various health issues, such as ageing, fertility, anaemia, insomnia, dizziness, and cancer.
The escalating demand for ejiao has fueled an illegal trade in donkey hides in Africa, prompting concerns from the charity Brooke about the potential extinction of the continent’s donkey population if immediate action is not taken. Dr. Raphael Kinoti, director of Brooke, emphasized the complicity of consumers purchasing these products, linking them to a trade that devastates livelihoods and plunges communities into poverty.
Ejiao products, including snacks, powders, and teas, are marketed by third-party vendors in the UK through online platforms like Amazon. Despite some products being sourced from naturally deceased or bred donkeys, the UK Food Standards Agency warns against the importation of any ejiao-containing items and advises against their purchase due to regulatory concerns.
Queen Camilla witnessed the impact of donkey theft firsthand during a visit to a sanctuary in Nairobi, Kenya, in November 2023. Families in Kenya are reeling from the loss of their donkeys, which are cruelly slaughtered for their skins before being shipped to China, where the demand for ejiao has severely depleted the domestic donkey population.
Beth Wambui, a dairy farmer from Kenya, recounted the devastating loss of her donkey, which served as a vital asset for her livelihood. The theft of donkeys has left families like Beth’s in dire straits, prompting calls for enhanced local patrols to safeguard the remaining animals. The African Union’s ban on killing donkeys for their skins in 2024 has not deterred the rampant theft and slaughter, leading to the deaths of millions of donkeys.
Dr. Kinoti condemned the barbarity of the donkey skin trade and urged collective action to combat this illicit practice. Amazon declined to comment on the issue.