The Tanzanian Minister for Livestock and Fisheries, Hon. Mashimba Mashauri Ndaki, has declared a ban on donkey slaughter for the skin trade.
In a budget speech to Parliament, the Hon. Minister noted that Tanzania’s current donkey population is estimated at 650,0001 but recognised the risk of donkeys becoming extinct. He has advised investors in the donkey trade to use current infrastructure to trade in other livestock animals instead.
Ian Cawsey, Director of Policy, Advocacy and Campaigns at The Donkey Sanctuary, said: “It’s not often we have good news to share about the donkey skin trade but this is a major victory.
“The rejection of donkey slaughter by Tanzania adds a powerful voice to the growing number of countries declaring their donkeys are not for sale for slaughter. It means that the 650,000 donkeys in a country, which support millions more people, will no longer be at risk of slaughter for their skins.
“Since 2016 The Donkey Sanctuary has been working with partner organisations in Tanzania in East Africa2 to help communities protect their donkeys from theft for the trade and also to expose the truly horrendous animal welfare issues around their slaughter – some of the worst cases we have ever seen.”
Tanzania’s stand against the trade mirrors action by Kenya, Nigeria and a number of West African countries to prohibit the slaughter of donkeys for their skins. Nigeria has gone so far as to declare its donkeys an endangered species owing to their unsustainable slaughter.
A report by The Donkey Sanctuary published in May 2022 highlighted the increasing evidence of criminal involvement in the donkey skin trade, with online traders selling donkey skins alongside wildlife items such as ivory, rhino horn and drugs.
Ian Cawsey added: “I hope that other African countries, including South Africa, Botswana and Egypt, who allow the trade to operate, will reconsider their support for donkey slaughter and make similar moves to protect their national donkey populations for the benefit of their citizens.”
For more information about The Donkey Sanctuary’s Stop the Slaughter campaign, please visit: https://www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/end-the-donkey-skin-trade.
For interviews, images and information please contact The Donkey Sanctuary press office on 01395 573124 or 07870 849563 (including out of hours) or email [email protected]
1 https://www.mwananchi.co.tz/mw/habari/kitaifa/serikali-yasitisha-uchinjaji-punda-3826826
2 In-country partners are ASPA (Arusha Society for the Protection of Animals) TAWESO (Tanzania Animal Welfare Society) and MAWO (Meru Animal Welfare Organisation).
The Donkey Sanctuary is the world’s largest equine welfare charity. Our vision is a world where donkeys and mules live free from suffering and their contribution to humanity is fully valued. We run 10 sanctuaries around the UK and Europe, giving lifelong care to more than 7,000 donkeys and mules. Our hospital treats sick donkeys and trains vets both nationwide and worldwide. Our donkey-facilitated learning programme helps vulnerable children and adults develop life skills by connecting with donkeys on an emotional and physical level. The charity operates programmes worldwide for animals working in agriculture, industry and transportation, and those used in the production of meat and skin.
Please note that the name ‘The Donkey Sanctuary’ should not be abbreviated to Donkey Sanctuary, and the word ‘The’ should always appear with a capital ‘T’ as above.