BAN donkey export to China.
Ejiao is the name of a traditional Chinese medicine, for the production of which 6 million innocent donkeys are killed annually. Their population in China is drastically declining, which is why they have also begun to be imported from many countries, many from where donkeys, a backbone of survival for many families, are ruthlesly stolen for export.
Donkey population in China is decreasing at an alarming rate — since 1992, it has reduced by 76%. If we do not start taking action now to introduce more strict regulations on the export of donkeys, and their mass slaughter, their species will become extinct well within our lifetimes.
For over two decades, the echoes of a silent tragedy have been unfolding due to a grim demand for Chinese pseudomedicine, resulting in the relentless killing of thousands of donkeys. Without immediate action, the next five years could witness the loss of up to 22 million innocent lives, almost half of 55 million total number of donkeys living on planet Earth.
Picture this: donkeys, transported without the basics of food and water, crammed into transport vehicles on their way to slaughter, some pregnant, some with fractures, old, young. Shockingly, up to 20% perish en route, victims of neglect and the harsh realities of illegal trade. Yet, their ordeal doesn’t end in death—their skins are still deemed valuable.
Donkeys, emblematic of resilience and perseverance, have served alongside humans, shaping civilizations with their indomitable spirit. . Yet, this very resilience places them in peril today, as they face a severe threat from the demand for Ejiao. This traditional Chinese concoction, claimed to alleviate ailments from insomnia to constipation, is produced in a manner as archaic as it is cruel—by boiling donkey skin to extract collagen, then peddling it as a miracle health tonic without a shred of scientific backing for its supposed benefits.
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The price tag on this? A staggering USD420 for just a half-kilogram of Ejiao. And the demand? Insatiable, requiring an appaling, 6 million donkey skins annually. This lucrative trade thrives on the exploitation and suffering of these gentle beings, with each skin fetching up to $600—a price too costly for our conscience. USA the biggest importer of Ejiao, with 12 million annual imports per year.
The repercussions extend far beyond individual suffering. In regions like Africa, where donkeys are pillars of community life and ecosystem health, their drastic decline threatens to unravel the delicate balance of nature. These animals, by grazing on vegetation others avoid, play a pivotal role in seed dispersal and maintaining biodiversity. Their disappearance could lead to ecological collapse, impacting not just wildlife but human communities that depend on them. It is estimated that 500 million people, globally, rely on donkeys in their daily exsistance.
The international trade in donkey skins, often shadowed by illegality and cruelty, paints a grim picture of exploitation. Countries like Ghana and Mali have taken a stand by banning donkey slaughter, yet the black market thrives, undermining these efforts and continuing the cycle of suffering.
This is a call to action, not just for animal lovers but for anyone who values compassion over cruelty, sustainability over short-term gains. By signing our petition, you’re taking a stand against the senseless slaughter of donkeys for Ejiao and advocating for a ban on the slaughter and export of these creatures. Together, we can send a powerful message that the cost of Ejiao is too high, and it’s time to choose ethical alternatives.
If you’re an animal lover like us, then this issue is probably important to you as well. There are a few things you can do to help us achieve our goal:
- sign our petition
- share this post with your friends and family
- donate to our cause so we can continue the fight for animal rights worldwide! Thank you for your support!
We hope you’ll consider signing the petition and supporting our cause. Donkeys do not deserve to face brink of exctinciton for Ejiao’s sake.
