Ejiao: 6 Million Donkeys Slaughtered Annually for Medicine

Nearly 6 million donkeys are slaughtered each year for their skins, which are used in traditional Chinese medicine to produce 'ejiao'. This number is expected to reach 7 million by 2027, according to the Donkey Sanctuary NGO.

Ejiao is used to improve blood circulation, slow aging, and enhance libido and fertility. The market is estimated to be worth over six billion dollars.

The increasing demand has led to a decline in the donkey population in China from 11 million in 1992 to 1.5 million in 2023, resulting in a shift to African countries for the supply of skins.

The African Union banned the donkey skin trade across the continent in 2024, but illegal networks continue to operate.

The Donkey Sanctuary emphasizes the need for a coordinated international effort to curb the illegal exploitation of donkeys.