A coffle of donkeys recently rescued by the National Council of SPCAs has put into sharp focus the possible reemergence of a cruel trade in donkey skins. A number of trucks transporting around 100 donkeys near Mooi River in KwaZulu-Natal were intercepted by the Mooi River SPCA, who, with the help of local police, stopped the trucks until the NSPCA arrived. Young foals and old donkeys aboard the trucks were destined for the donkey skin trade, which first emerged in South Africa 2016.
Young foals and old donkeys aboard the trucks were destined for the donkey skin trade, which first emerged in South Africa 2016.Since then, an entire underground trade has been discovered, with the skins destined for China’s traditional medicine markets. South Africa is also not the only one affected by a new insatiable appetite for donkey-infused gelatine – Botswana, Lesotho and Namibia are battling to curb the trade as well.
Nair said they are hit, pushed, kicked and shoved to move the stubborn asses to where they want them to go. There is also a lack of food and water provided for the donkeys, who often endure lengthy journeys to be slaughtered.