About 60 million donkeys are being killed every year for the production of traditional medicine ‘Ijiao’ in China. If seen, China is not only ending the life of an animal but is also creating a big social and ecological problem. First of all, let’s talk about what is there and why is its demand increasing? Let us tell you that Ijiyao is a traditional Chinese medicine, which is made from collagen extracted from donkey skin. It is considered a healthy tonic, which is used to enhance the beauty of the skin, blood circulation and energy. The growing population, economic prosperity and increasing belief towards traditional medicines have brought the demand of Ijiao to the sky. It is estimated that by 2027, 68 lakh donkeys will require skins.
Reports show that the number of donkeys in China was around 1.1 crore in 1992, which declined to only 1.10 million by 2023. To fulfill this demand, China has now turned to countries like Africa, Pakistan and Latin America. Let us tell you that in African countries, where donkeys are the main means of transport and agriculture for farmers and villagers, the incidents of theft and illegal slaughter of these animals have increased rapidly. Thieves steal donkeys in the dark of night and kill them in inhuman ways. The cruelty towards this animal is increasing, as well as the livelihood of people dependent on animal wealth is also being affected badly.
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The second question arises whether only China is involved in this business? The answer is that although China is a major center of this industry and is the largest consumer of Ijiyao, but other countries are also partners in this business. For example, donkeys skins are exported in African countries like Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania. With this, the trade of donkeys has started in countries like Pakistan and Brazil. Many times it is also seen that due to illegal smuggling and corruption, this business is flourishing in countries where donkeys are banned.
Meanwhile, Britain’s charity organization ‘The Danki Sanctuary’ said that “the esiano industry is running the donkeys’ trade globally, of which the larger is illegal.” According to the institution, around 59 lakh donkeys were killed worldwide last year. Due to the rising prices of donkeys, they have now come under target of criminals. The charity institution said, “Traders exploit weak people and use large and organized agents network to pressurize the owners of donkeys to sell their animals.” The institution has said that donkeys often die in inhuman and unclean conditions and a large number of they die before reaching the slaughterhouses. The institution has said that in many countries poor women and children are getting affected by it as they depend on donkeys to run the plow in the field and take the goods to the market. The institution has also said that the transportation of impossible skins and unfair disposal of the bodies of donkeys are also threatening the spread of infectious diseases and damage to the local ecosystem.
Now the question arises that what can be done? The answer may be that laws should be enacted internationally to protect donkeys and they should be strictly implemented. In addition, rural communities should be made aware about the importance of donkeys and ill effects of illegal trade. Also, such options should be prepared from scientific research that make it possible to manufacture products like Ijiyao even without donkey skins.
However, the mass murder of donkeys is not only a threat to a species, but it is also a sign of a complete social and ecological crisis. Considering the increasing demand for Ijiyao in China, it has become necessary that serious discussion and concrete action should be taken globally. Today is a great need to balance animal welfare, traditional knowledge and modern morality.