Arusha: More than 150 donkeys are stolen from Tanzania and smuggled into Kenya every month, a revelation that has raised concerns over the future of these animals in the region.

According to Nam News Network, the Director of the Arusha Society for the Protection of Animals (ASPA), Livingstone Masija, disclosed that donkeys cross into Kenya through numerous porous routes along the northern border, stretching from Loliondo in Arusha to Tanga. ASPA, in collaboration with Brooke East Africa, is actively advocating for the welfare of donkeys, focusing on issues related to their smuggling and trafficking.

Masija warned that the primary reason behind the disappearance of donkeys is the demand for their hides, which are used to produce gelatin for traditional Chinese medicine. This demand has put Tanzanian donkeys at risk of extinction. Historically, Tanzania had around 600,000 donkeys, but their numbers are dwindling rapidly, with experts predicting potential extinction within the next decade.

The donkey hides business in Tanzania began in 2014 following the establishment of special abattoirs in Dodoma and Shinyanga Regions. Although donkey meat is not consumed in Tanzania, it is occasionally mixed with beef to increase volume after the animals are slaughtered for their hides. The hides are the main product, used to manufacture “e jiao,” a Chinese elixir made from donkey skin, which has seen increasing demand in China and other Asian markets.

The challenge of legally obtaining enough donkeys for this product has led to the illegal capture, theft, and smuggling of donkeys to the Far East. The Donkey Sanctuary’s 2020 report highlighted that nearly 5 million donkey hides are needed to meet the gelatin demand.

Abdinego Martin, ASPA’s communications officer, emphasized the critical role donkeys play in supporting rural economies, warning of severe consequences if these animals become extinct. He urged media outlets to raise awareness about the plight of donkeys in Tanzania.

From 2010, global donkey prices soared due to the high demand for Chinese traditional elixir, leading to several African countries, including Tanzania, banning donkey and product exports to China by 2018. In Tanzania, donkeys are essential for agriculture and transportation, especially in the Northern and Central regions, despite being frequently mistreated and overworked.