Donkeys Face Risk of Extinction as Illegal Trade Intensifies, ASPA Warns

 

Arusha — Donkeys in Tanzania are facing a serious threat of extinction due to illegal cross-border trade that involves secretly transporting the animals out of the country, the Animal Welfare Association of Tanzania (ASPA) has warned.

Diana Msemo, Animal Welfare Education Officer at ASPA, issued the alert during a media training held over the weekend in Arusha. She explained that the growing demand for donkey skins has fueled a dangerous black market, causing a sharp decline in donkey populations.

Msemo noted that donkeys are the second most important livestock species in Tanzania—after cattle—due to their significant contribution to the national economy and the daily lives of pastoralist communities.

“There is a high demand for donkeys, especially in neighboring countries like Kenya, where they are secretly slaughtered. Donkeys are smuggled out of Tanzania through unofficial routes and end up in the skin trade,” she said.

Donkeys, commonly used for farming, transportation, and domestic chores, play a crucial role in supporting pastoralist families. Msemo emphasized that donkeys are not only work animals but also essential to children in pastoralist households, enabling them to fulfill daily duties and attend school.

ASPA’s Community Development Officer, Albert Mbwambo, stressed the need for communities to recognize the importance of donkeys and protect them. “Despite the rapid loss of donkeys, we must continue educating the public on the dangers of this illegal trade and ensure these animals are preserved and valued,” Mbwambo said.

ASPA is working with partners such as BROOKE East Africa to advocate for animal welfare and raise public awareness of the consequences of the illegal donkey trade.