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Chinese demand for traditional medicines has increased the demand for African animals. Initially, it was mostly for rhinos and pangolins. Now the Chinese are keen on importing donkeys
Chinese demand for traditional medicines has increased the demand for African animals. Initially, it was mostly for rhinos and pangolins. Now the Chinese are keen on importing donkeys.
South Africa is now seeing its donkey population plunge, This trend threatens other businesses that make soaps and creams from donkey milk. The produce extracted from them can sell for up to US$360 per kilogram in China. According to reports, in South Africa and other countries like Kenya and Burkina Faso, there is illegal slaughtering of donkeys for export clandestinely to China. The skin is boiled in certain ways to extract healthy products including aphrodisiacs.
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The health benefits are believed to be similar to products derived from rhino horns. They are believed to act as blood thinners to act as an aphrodisiacs. These products have a high demand in the market. The shrinking supply has sent prices soaring, so much so a donkey would fetch about US$30 at auction five years ago. Now they cost about US$125 each. In China, donkey hides were sold for US$473 in 2018 and now sell for US$1,160.
South Africa legally exports about 10,500 donkey hides to China every year. But the real quantity is believed much higher as smugglers have tapped into the trade.
