By Alfred ZachariaThe Tanzania Livestock Research Institute (TALIRI) is ramping up efforts to study and safeguard donkeys, emphasizing their critical role in rural livelihoods and addressing the mounting threats to their population driven by soaring demand for meat and hides.
Research from TALIRI underscores the challenges posed by donkeys' slow reproductive cycle. A typical pregnancy lasts between 10 and 12 months, followed by an extended weaning period of up to seven months. This natural limitation hinders population recovery.
Coupled with a rising demand for donkey products, the situation has sparked concerns about the welfare of donkeys and the economic ramifications for rural communities that depend on them for transport and farming.
TARILI has stressed the importance of preserving donkeys as working animals rather than allowing them to be consumed.
“Donkeys play a vital role in supporting rural economies. We must prioritize their welfare and protect their numbers,” TARILI's website reads.
For generations, donkeys have been a reliable means of transport, especially in rugged terrains where vehicles and tractors cannot operate.
TALIRI’s studies also highlight their agricultural value, with a single donkey capable of plowing up to one acre of flat land daily.
TALIRI is advancing research into sustainable solutions to tackle the challenges facing donkeys. These include enhancing breeding practices and increasing awareness about the animals' significance in rural development.
Livestock sector stakeholders are urging collaborative efforts to ensure the survival and prosperity of donkeys in Tanzania, safeguarding their contributions to economic growth and community welfare.
Tanzania’s donkey population has seen dramatic declines in recent years, largely due to the international demand for donkey skins, a key ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine.
In 2018/2019, the donkey population was estimated at approximately 657,000, according to The Citizen. By 2021, this number had dropped to around 300,000, as reported by The Brooke.
This steep decline has been linked to the establishment of slaughterhouses by Chinese investors in regions like Dodoma and Shinyanga, which reportedly processed up to 500 donkeys daily to meet the demand for ‘ejiao,’ a traditional Chinese medicine product.
In response to this crisis, the Tanzanian government has implemented a series of interventions.
In 2017, it banned donkey slaughter, though the ban was lifted in 2018, allowing slaughterhouses to reopen.
By 2021, the ban was reinstated, leading to the closure of all donkey meat processing factories. In 2024, further protective measures were introduced, including removing donkeys from the list of animals approved for slaughter and consumption.
Additionally, Tanzania hosted the first Pan-African Donkey Conference in Dar es Salaam, which produced the ‘Dar es Salaam Declaration on Donkeys in Africa Now and in the Future.’ The declaration calls for a 15-year ban on donkey slaughter across the continent.
As of December 2024, exact population figures remain unavailable, but the government’s proactive measures aim to stabilize and eventually increase the donkey population. Initiatives include public education campaigns on donkey welfare, stricter enforcement against illegal trade, and programs to promote donkey breeding.
The Tanzanian government’s commitment to protecting donkeys highlights a broader recognition of their essential role in rural economies and the need for sustainable practices to ensure their survival.