Africa could lose half its donkeys by 2040
Demand for eijao in China has led to huge export industries in Africa.
Africa could lose half its donkeys by 2040 due to a trade which slaughters them for their skins, Brooke predicts.
Our latest report reveals Africa’s donkey population could reduce from around 27 million to 14 million over the next 15 years, if a continent-wide ban on the donkey skin trade isn’t enforced.
Demand for ejiao, a remedy made from donkey skin used in cosmetics and supplements, has reduced China’s donkey population, leading to huge export industries in Africa.
We must call on governments and policymakers to enact a permanent ban of the trade and protect these animals.
Raphael Kinoti, Regional Director of Brooke in East Africa, said: “The threat of African donkey populations dwindling due to this murderous trade is a very real one.
“They deserve compassion and are a lifeline for millions of communities, and this trade has created a crisis that demands urgent, unified action.”
In 2024, the African Union opted for a continent-wide ban of the skin trade, thanks to lobbying from Brooke. If this is sustained it could increase the donkey population to 30 million by 2040.
Hundreds of families in Africa lose donkeys, their lifelines, each year to the trade.
Brooke and The International Coalition of Working Equids (ICWE) will attend The Pan African Donkey Conference (PADCo) on 26 to 27 June 2025 in Côte d'Ivoire, to support the African Union’s ban and call for wider action.
The conference is organised by the African Union – Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), which encourages Africa to recognise donkeys as sentient beings who are essential to socio-economic development.
At Brooke, we stand firm in our commitment to protect these incredible animals, who are essential to the survival of so many.
Chris Wainwright, Global CEO of Brooke, said: "The ongoing threat to donkey populations from the illegal skin trade is an urgent crisis that requires immediate action.
“We must unite to end this exploitation and secure a future where donkeys are valued and safeguarded, for generations to come."
Working animals, including donkeys, are a vital asset to African communities, who home the world’s largest donkey populations.
Sylvester's donkeys were stolen in the night and slaughtered for their skins.
In Machakos County, Kenya, a man named Sylvester relied on his two donkeys to fetch water as far as five kilometres away, carry farm goods to markets and cushion his family against poverty.
One night, Sylvester’s donkeys, a foal and their mother, were stolen and brutally murdered for their skins and meat for trading at market.
“I couldn't believe it”, Sylvester said, “My donkeys were like family.
“Losing them felt like a betrayal.”
Like Sylvester, hundreds of families in Africa lose donkeys, their lifelines, each year to the trade, eroding community cohesion and cultural heritage.
Brooke and The International Coalition of Working Equids will attend The Pan African Donkey Conference, to call for action against the skin trade.
When donkeys are stolen, it often means children carry heavy water containers themselves and must stop going to school.
At Brooke we are also calling for a global ban on the trade and campaigning to reduce consumer demand for donkey skin products, by boycotting platforms selling ejiao.
In 2024, our sister organisation, Brooke USA, delivered 370,000 petition signatures to Amazon to ban its sale of donkey skin products.