Kenya Society for the Protection and Care of Animals (KSPCA)
Kenya's Donkeys Are Being Wiped Out for the Illegal Skin Trade
Every day, hundreds of donkeys are stolen, tortured and slaughtered to fuel the demand for ejiao, a traditional Chinese medicine and cosmetic product made from donkey skins. More than half of Kenya’s donkey population has already disappeared. Without urgent action, these gentle animals could vanish forever.
Why we help them
At least 400 donkeys are being illegally killed every day in Kenya despite national and continent-wide bans on the trade.
Criminal networks continue to operate in remote areas, stealing donkeys from communities and slaughtering them illegally for their skins. Weak enforcement means the killing continues largely unchecked.
Time is running out. Unless action is taken now, donkeys could disappear from Kenya within the next decade.
What happens
Donkeys are being targeted for their skins, which are exported for the production of ejiao, a product sold in Asian markets.
The cruelty is unimaginable:
- Donkeys are stolen from villages and families
- Animals are transported in overcrowded vehicles without food or water
- Many suffer broken limbs, severe injuries and starvation
- Some are beaten, hacked with machetes or killed using brutal methods
- Pregnant mares and young foals are not spared
Over the past decade, millions of donkeys have been lost across Africa due to this trade.
How your support helps
Through our partner, the Kenya Society for the Protection and Care of Animals (KSPCA), we are:
- Rescuing donkeys from traffickers and illegal slaughter operations
- Providing emergency veterinary treatment for injured animals
- Supplying food, shelter and ongoing care for rescued donkeys
- Supporting investigations into illegal slaughter networks
- Working alongside authorities to prosecute offenders
- Training law enforcement to identify and stop trafficking operations
Your donation directly helps save donkeys from suffering and death.
The crisis in Kenya is not over
Over the past year alone, hundreds of donkeys have been rescued from the skin trade.
But rescue is only the beginning.
Many survivors arrive with severe injuries, broken bones, deep wounds and extreme psychological trauma. Some remain in protective care for months or years while court cases proceed.
Shelters and foster networks are stretched beyond capacity. Food, medicine and security costs continue to rise. Without ongoing support, rescued donkeys remain at risk.
The illegal trade is still active and countless animals are in danger every day.
How you can help today
Your support can help us:
- Feed rescued donkeys
- Provide life-saving veterinary care
- Maintain safe shelters and foster homes
- Fund rescue operations and emergency responses
- Support investigations and prosecutions
- Strengthen protection efforts in high-risk areas
Every donation helps us save more donkeys and fight back against the criminals profiting from their suffering.
You can make a difference
Right now, rescued donkeys are depending on compassionate people to stand between them and a brutal fate.
Together, we can:
- Rescue animals from traffickers
- Provide safety and recovery
- Hold criminals accountable
- Protect vulnerable donkey populations
- End this cruel trade for good
ACT TODAY TO HELP SAVE LIVES
Our Work in Kenya
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