Scientists launch campaign against Brazil donkey skin trade

A coalition of Brazilian and international scientists, veterinarians, and legal experts has launched a campaign to end the slaughter of donkeys in Brazil. The mobilization aims to highlight the sanitary, reputational, and genetic risks associated with the trade of donkey skins, which are primarily exported to China.

Experts describe the industry as an extractive trade rather than a sustainable production system. They note that the biological characteristics of donkeys—including a 12-month gestation period and low reproductive rates—make sustainable management difficult. Data from the FAO and IBGE indicate that the donkey population in Brazil has plummeted by 94% between 1996 and 2024, leaving only about six animals for every 100 that existed three decades ago.