Ears ripped off. Malnourished, with ribs pushing through flesh.
Skinned alive. This is what happens to donkeys, including young baby foals, that are trapped and sucked into the international donkey skin trade — and it's why we need to stop this trade in its tracks.
Sign the petition to demand justice for these animals!For nearly a year and a half, donkeys have been relatively safe. Even though their bodies are in-demand for some traditional medicines and gelatin ingredients in various countries, demand plummeted during the global pandemic. Now, however, such abuse is on the rise again.
All donkeys are at risk — including beloved family pets and those on small farms. In order to procure all the donkeys needed to collect enough of their skin, individuals participating in this trade often steal donkeys and commit the crime of poaching. This hurts entire communities, particularly through financial loss since many families rely on their donkeys as part of their livelihoods.
Such skin industry cruelty is against the law in many places, including South Africa, and authorities there have been working in close collaboration with the National Council of Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA).
Just recently, officials discovered a criminal operation in which 36 mother donkeys and their babies had been rounded up for exportation and use in the donkey skin industry. Six people involved in this ring have already been arrested, charged, and found guilty for their illegal activities.
Now we need other countries to work together with South Africa to help crack down on this donkey skinning industry.
Sign the petition to urge the governments of Botswana, Ethiopia, and Senegal to join together with authorities in South Africa in putting an end to the donkey skin trade entirely!