Demand for a form of traditional Chinese medicine is putting the donkey population at risk in South Africa and other parts of the continent.
In recent years, the market in ejiaoa product made from boiled-down donkey skins mixed with herbs and other ingredientshas grown massively in China, putting millions of donkeys at risk of slaughter or poaching.
In South Africa, poor farmers who rely on donkeys as beasts of burden and modes of transport have reported having their animals stolen, only to later find their skinless carcasses.
Subscribe to Newsweek from $1 per week
South Africas Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has confiscated more than 1,000 donkey hides en route to China in the past year, chief inspect Mpho Mokoena told Voice of America (VOA). Mokoena fears that the growing trade in donkey skins could signal the extinction of the animal in South Africa. In two years there wont be [any] donkeys in South Africa, she told VOA.
Donkey skins dry in the sun at a licensed specialized slaughterhouse in Baringo, Kenya, on February 28. The trade in donkey skins is legal in some countries, but is putting donkey populations in parts of Africa at risk. TONY KARUMBA/AFP/Getty
The slaughter of donkeys and trade in their skins is on an upward trend in other parts of Africa, too. A January report by U.K.-based charity the Donkey Sanctuary found that demand for donkeys in Africa has risen so much that, in the West African country of Burkina Faso, the cost of a single animal almost doubled from 60 ($76) in 2014 to 108 ($137) in 2016.
Read more: Take Two Herbs and Call Me in the Morning
The global donkey population stands at around 44 million, the vast majority of which are working animals, but the Donkey Sanctuary report estimated that global demand for donkey skins is between 4-10 million, with at least 1.8 million donkey skins being traded per year.
Four African countriesBurkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Senegalhave banned donkey exports, as well as Pakistan. The consumption of donkey meat is also considered haram (forbidden) in Islam, meaning that the slaughter of donkeys in many countries with large Muslim populations is frowned upon.
Donkeys are under threat largely due to the rise in popularity of ejiao, according to the report. In China, some believe that ejiao has various health benefits, from anti-aging properties to boosting sex drive, and it is even marketed as a gynecological treatment that can reduce reproductive diseases in women. Demand is so high that ejiao can sell for up to 300 ($382) per kilogram, according to the Donkey Sanctuary report.
Traditional medicine in China and other parts of East Asia is associated with the decline of other animal populations and wildlife agencies have said that wild rhinoceros could be wiped out within a decade as a result of increased poaching. Rhino horn can sell for up to $60,000 per kilogrammore valuable by weight than gold or diamondsdue to myths that it can solve a wide range of medical ailments, including cancer and hangovers.
Tiger bones are also reputed to be a remedy for arthritis in traditional medicine, while ivory from elephant tusks is also used in some medications, as well as being prized for ornamental purposes in China.
Read more:
Chinese Medicine is Using Donkey Skins to Boost Libidoand Africa's Animals Are at Risk - Newsweek
- Water Test Finds Toxic Substance [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 4th, 2010]
- Sunlight May Help Protect Men From Kidney Cancer [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 9th, 2010]
- Sunlight May Help Protect Men From Kidney Cancer [Last Updated On: April 10th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 10th, 2010]
- Heart Disease [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 13th, 2010]
- Heart Disease [Last Updated On: April 14th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 14th, 2010]
- The pH Miracle Living Diet Can Change Your Life [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 17th, 2010]
- The pH Miracle Living Diet Can Change Your Life [Last Updated On: April 18th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 18th, 2010]
- Garlic Good For Stomach and Colon Cancers [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 21st, 2010]
- Garlic Good For Stomach and Colon Cancers [Last Updated On: April 22nd, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 22nd, 2010]
- Smokeless tobacco products like snuff also cause cancer [Last Updated On: April 25th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 25th, 2010]
- Smokeless tobacco products like snuff also cause cancer [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2010]
- Prevention of Acupuncture Infection Needs More Focus [Last Updated On: April 29th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 29th, 2010]
- Prevention of Acupuncture Infection Needs More Focus [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2010]
- Squamous cell carcinoma and Epstein Bar [Last Updated On: May 3rd, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 3rd, 2010]
- Squamous cell carcinoma and Epstein Bar [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 4th, 2010]
- Prostate cancer therapy can increase risk of heart disease and death [Last Updated On: May 7th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 7th, 2010]
- Prostate cancer therapy can increase risk of heart disease and death [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 8th, 2010]
- Protect Your Baby's Smile [Last Updated On: May 11th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 11th, 2010]
- Protect Your Baby's Smile [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 12th, 2010]
- Acupuncture Seminar & Workshop (May 14-16, 2010, New York, New York, USA, North America) [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 14th, 2010]
- Acupuncture Seminar & Workshop (May 14-16, 2010, New York, New York, USA, North America) [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 14th, 2010]
- New Insights Show Ginseng Fights Inflammation [Last Updated On: May 15th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 15th, 2010]
- Acupuncture Delivers Some Pain Relief [Last Updated On: May 19th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 19th, 2010]
- Natural compounds in carnivorous plants could fight human fungal infections [Last Updated On: May 23rd, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 23rd, 2010]
- 12th National Conference: Parkinson's 2010: Recent clinical advances in the management of Parkinson's (Jun 23, 2010, London, United Kingdom, Europe) [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 23rd, 2010]
- 12th National Conference: Parkinson's 2010: Recent clinical advances in the management of Parkinson's (Jun 23, 2010, London, United Kingdom, Europe) [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 23rd, 2010]
- How to Treat Diabetes Without Medication [Last Updated On: May 27th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 27th, 2010]
- How to Treat Diabetes Without Medication [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 28th, 2010]
- Testosterone May Make Women Less Trusting [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 2nd, 2010]
- Testosterone May Make Women Less Trusting [Last Updated On: June 3rd, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 3rd, 2010]
- Brain Develops Differently in Fragile X Syndrome [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 6th, 2010]
- Brain Develops Differently in Fragile X Syndrome [Last Updated On: June 7th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 7th, 2010]
- Gaia Herbs achieves industry breakthrough in herb potency, safety and traceability [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 10th, 2010]
- Gaia Herbs achieves industry breakthrough in herb potency, safety and traceability [Last Updated On: June 11th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 11th, 2010]
- Doctors are addicted to "every drug under the sun" [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 14th, 2010]
- Doctors are addicted to "every drug under the sun" [Last Updated On: June 15th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 15th, 2010]
- Like Humans, Chimps Ape Their Betters [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 18th, 2010]
- Like Humans, Chimps Ape Their Betters [Last Updated On: June 19th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 19th, 2010]
- Exercise in Adolescence May Cut Risk of Deadly Brain [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 22nd, 2010]
- Exercise in Adolescence May Cut Risk of Deadly Brain [Last Updated On: June 23rd, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 23rd, 2010]
- BP is burning rare sea turtles alive, blocking efforts to save them [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 26th, 2010]
- BP is burning rare sea turtles alive, blocking efforts to save them [Last Updated On: June 27th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 27th, 2010]
- Exercise Helps Reduce Falls in Young and Old [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 30th, 2010]
- Exercise Helps Reduce Falls in Young and Old [Last Updated On: July 1st, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 1st, 2010]
- Scientists Spot Gene Variants That Predict Longevity [Last Updated On: July 7th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 7th, 2010]
- Scientists Spot Gene Variants That Predict Longevity [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: July 8th, 2010]
- Mediterranean Diet Helps Protect Aging Brain [Last Updated On: July 11th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 11th, 2010]
- Mediterranean Diet Helps Protect Aging Brain [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: July 12th, 2010]
- Diabetes Medicines [Last Updated On: July 15th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 15th, 2010]
- Diabetes Medicines [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: July 16th, 2010]
- Cutting Calories May Boost Aging Brains [Last Updated On: July 23rd, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 23rd, 2010]
- Meditation Appears to Boost Attention Span [Last Updated On: July 31st, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 31st, 2010]
- Meditation Appears to Boost Attention Span [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: August 1st, 2010]
- A healthy heart slows brain aging [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: August 9th, 2010]
- Constipation May Lead to Other Problems [Last Updated On: August 12th, 2010] [Originally Added On: August 12th, 2010]
- A healthy heart slows brain aging [Last Updated On: August 12th, 2010] [Originally Added On: August 12th, 2010]
- 7-year-old girl dies after Botox injections [Last Updated On: August 16th, 2010] [Originally Added On: August 16th, 2010]
- Infidelity Rises When She Makes More Than He Does [Last Updated On: October 11th, 2010] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2010]
- Confused About Coconut Oil? [Last Updated On: October 11th, 2010] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2010]
- Widely Used Plastics Chemical Linked to Testosterone Boost [Last Updated On: October 11th, 2010] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2010]
- Monitoring of Kidney Health Urged for Injection Drug Users [Last Updated On: October 11th, 2010] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2010]
- A Stone-age prescription [Last Updated On: October 11th, 2010] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2010]
- Researchers Reluctantly Admit Mediterranean Diet Beats Diabetes Drugs for Controlling [Last Updated On: October 11th, 2010] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2010]
- Simplified Framingham Model May Miscalculate Risk for Millions [Last Updated On: October 11th, 2010] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2010]
- New and Undefined Diseases [Last Updated On: October 11th, 2010] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2010]
- Infidelity Rises When She Makes More Than He Does [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2010]
- Confused About Coconut Oil? [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2010]
- Widely Used Plastics Chemical Linked to Testosterone Boost [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2010]
- Monitoring of Kidney Health Urged for Injection Drug Users [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2010]
- A Stone-age prescription [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2010]
- Researchers Reluctantly Admit Mediterranean Diet Beats Diabetes Drugs for Controlling [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2010]
- Simplified Framingham Model May Miscalculate Risk for Millions [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2010]
- New and Undefined Diseases [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2010]
- 7th Annual Update Symposium on Clinical Neurology & Neurophysiology (Feb. 21-22, 2011, Tel Aviv, Israel, Middle East) [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2010]
- 7th Annual Update Symposium on Clinical Neurology & Neurophysiology (Feb. 21-22, 2011, Tel Aviv, Israel, Middle East) [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2010]
- The 13th National Conference Dementias 2011 (Feb. 10-11, 2011, London, United Kingdom, Europe) [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2010]
- Geriatrics: A Primary Care Approach to the Aging Population (Jan. 31-Feb. 04, 2011, Sarasota, Florida, USA, North America) [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2010]
- COSMODERM XIV - The International Aesthetic Dermatology Congress of the European Society for Cosmetic & Aesthetic Dermatology (ESCAD) (Dec 09-12, 2010, Dresden, Germany, Europe) [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2010]
- COSMODERM XIV - The International Aesthetic Dermatology Congress of the European Society for Cosmetic & Aesthetic Dermatology (ESCAD) (Dec 09-12, 2010, Dresden, Germany, Europe) [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2010]
- Experimental Treatment Could Fight Muscular Dystrophy [Last Updated On: October 13th, 2010] [Originally Added On: October 13th, 2010]