Arusha: More than 150 donkeys are stolen from Tanzania and smuggled into Kenya every month, it has just been revealed in Arusha.
According to Nam News Network, the Director of the Arusha Society for the Protection of Animals (ASPA), Livingstone Masija, highlighted that these donkeys are transported across the northern border of Tanzania through various permeable routes from Loliondo in Arusha to Tanga.
ASPA, in collaboration with Brooke East Africa, is actively working to advocate for the welfare of donkeys, focusing on the issues of smuggling and trafficking. Masija warned that the primary driver behind the disappearance of donkeys is the demand for their hides, which are used to produce gelatin for traditional Chinese medicine.
Donkeys, known for their resilience and utility in farming, face the threat of extinction in Tanzania due to illegal trafficking. The country, which once had approximately 600,000 donkeys, is witnessing a rapid decline in their population, with fears of complete extinction within a decade.
The donkey hides trade in Tanzania began in 2014, following the establishment of special abattoirs in the Dodoma and Shinyanga Regions. Although donkey meat is not commonly consumed in Tanzania, it is sometimes mixed with beef to increase volume. The hides, however, are the primary commodity, used to manufacture a Chinese elixir called e jiao, which has seen soaring demand.
The illegal trade has led to donkeys being captured, stolen, and smuggled to the Far East, often dead for easier transportation to meet the high demand in China. The Donkey Sanctuary's 2020 report indicated that nearly 5 million donkey hides are required to satisfy the gelatin demand.
Abdinego Martin, ASPA's communications officer, emphasized the crucial role of donkeys in supporting rural economies and warned of severe consequences if they were to go extinct. He urged the media to raise awareness about the plight of donkeys in Tanzania.
Experts explained that the global donkey price surge began in 2010 due to the demand for the Chinese traditional elixir. In response, several African countries, including Tanzania, banned the export of donkeys and their products to China in 2018.
In Tanzania, donkeys play an essential role in agriculture and transportation, particularly in the Northern and Central Regions. However, these animals are often subjected to harsh conditions, including poor feeding, overburdening, and inadequate medical care.