World's donkeys being 'decimated' by demand for Chinese medicine

Half global population could be slaughtered in next five years for ejiao industry, warns report

Half the world’s donkey population could be wiped out in the next five years, as millions are slaughtered for their hides to meet rising demand for a traditional Chinese medicine.

It is estimated that 4.8m donkey hides a year are needed to satisfy demand for a gelatin-based traditional medicine called ejiao, according to a new report from the Donkey Sanctuary. At the current pace, the global donkey population of 44m would be halved over the next five years, the report warns.

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from The Guardian https://ift.tt/348t2mX