BY ALLISON LEE
You may have seen claims that over six million donkeys are slaughtered each year in horrifying conditions to produce ejiao, a gelatin used in supplements, food, and cosmetics sold globally—including on major online retailers like Amazon. While the numbers and the cruelty are well-documented, the full picture includes some important context.
An investigation by Brooke, the Working Donkey and Horse Charity, confirms that approximately six million donkeys are killed annually for their skins to produce ejiao. The trade involves violent capture, long-distance transport without food or water, and brutal slaughter conditions. Although Amazon UK does not sell these products directly, they remain available through third-party sellers on its marketplace. Brooke is urging Amazon to ban donkey-skin products entirely from its platforms.
Donkeys are vital to millions of people in some of the world’s poorest communities, supporting livelihoods, education, and access to essentials. When a donkey is stolen and slaughtered, entire families can lose their income overnight.
Chris Wainwright, CEO of Brooke, said: “This trade, which most people don’t even realise exists, is causing immense suffering for both animals and people. When a donkey is stolen and slaughtered, entire families lose their income and lifeline overnight. This has to change. Amazon must take action to ensure its platforms aren’t accelerating this cruelty.”
Important Nuances Often Omitted:
The African Union ban (2024): In February 2024, the African Union adopted a historic continent-wide moratorium on donkey slaughter and skin exports. This was a direct response to campaigns by Brooke and other animal welfare groups.
The illegal trade persists: Despite the ban, the illegal trade continues. Brooke projects that if current rates of illegal slaughter persist, Africa could lose half its donkey population by 2040.
Amazon’s partial action: In December 2023, Amazon agreed to stop selling ejiao in California following a lawsuit. However, the products remain available globally via third-party sellers. Brooke has reached out to Amazon UK but received no response.
Why This Matters for People and Animals
Ejiao production is not just an animal welfare issue. It directly harms vulnerable human communities. Women, children, and families who rely on working donkeys for transport, water collection, and farming are left destitute when their animals are stolen and killed. The trade undermines rural economies across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
What You Can Do
Brooke has launched a petition calling on Amazon to ban ejiao sales on all its platforms worldwide. The UK public can help by:
- Signing the petition
- Writing to their local MP
- Contacting their local newspaper
About Brooke
Brooke Action for Working Horses and Donkeys is a UK-based global charity founded in 1934 by Dorothy Brooke, who sought out war horses left in Cairo after the First World War. Today, Brooke works across Africa, Asia, and Latin America to improve welfare for over 100 million working equids, upon which roughly 600 million people depend for their livelihoods.
Allison Lee is a smallholder from North Yorkshire who has written for the Yorkshire Times and other publications. Her website can be accessed here.