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2 clusters · 9 sources · 9 days · First seen · Last updated

Brazil donkey population decline and skin trade

Overview

A coalition of scientists, veterinarians, and legal experts has launched a campaign to end the slaughter of donkeys in Brazil. The movement aims to address the sanitary, reputational, and genetic risks of the donkey skin trade, which primarily exports skins to China. Experts characterize the industry as an “extractive trade” rather than a sustainable system, noting that Brazil’s donkey population declined by 94% between 1996 and 2024.

As conservation efforts evolve, specialists have warned that biotechnology, such as the in vitro embryo production being studied by the Federal University of Viçosa, may not be enough to prevent extinction. Critics argue that laboratory success must be matched by consistent gestation rates and reproductive viability at scale to counter the current rate of removal, which is estimated at 2,000 donkeys slaughtered monthly in Northeast Brazil.

Entities

Brazil · China · Federal University of Viçosa · Ademar Henrique Borges · Balneário Barra do Sul

Timeline

  1. [CULTURE] 3 sources
    Donkey conservationists warn in vitro research may not stop extinction

    Scientists and NGOs warn that in vitro embryo production may not prevent the extinction of Brazilian donkeys driven by the skin trade to countries like China.

  2. [INTERNATIONAL] 7 sources
    Scientists launch campaign against Brazil donkey skin trade

    Scientists and experts are campaigning to end the donkey slaughter in Brazil, warning that the skin trade for China has caused a 94% population decline since 1996.

Sources

africas.com.br · gazeta24h.com · noticiaja.com · ocp.news · ongnews.com.br · panrotas.com.br · portaldoagronegocio.com.br · portalrbn.com.br · tvoevangelho.com.br