�Donkeys skin racket�: Chinese man under investigation

Lebogang Mosikare | Friday July 14, 2017 15:23

 

Botswana Police Service (BPS) spokesperson, Witness Bosija said the suspect was arrested at the end of June in the outskirts of Francistown. “The suspect is being investigated for cruelty to animals. Government officials have since killed all the donkeys that the suspect was found in possession of.

The donkeys were found in a very bad state of health therefore government officials reached a decision to cull the animals to prevent them from suffering more,” Bosija said.

Bosija said according to their investigations, the donkeys were bought from many regions of the country. He added that details of what the suspect was going to do with the donkeys are still sketchy because police investigations into the matter are still ongoing.

“Investigations in their nature are a process and not an event. As of now we are not in a position to clearly state why the suspect possessed so many donkeys. We will know that once we conclude our investigations,” said Bosija, adding that, the suspect is expected to appear in court very soon. Donkeys, once neglected domesticated animals in many parts of Botswana, are now in high demand because their skins and other by-products are in high demand in Asia. 

According to various news reports, many donkeys are at risk of depletion because of the insatiable growing global trade that is wiping out donkey populations, which may end up impoverishing communities. Recently, the government of Botswana imposed a ban on the export of donkey products, which is said to be a billion dollar business.

News reports say the donkeys are being killed in growing numbers to feed demands from China where the skins are used to make natural medicine believed to be a sexual stimulant with anti-ageing properties. The donkey’s hooves are said to contain gelatin, while the meat, consumed in many parts of China, is believed to be more nutritious than beef and is enjoyed in burgers and stews.

Botswana is the sixth African country to impose restrictions on donkey exports, following Niger, Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso and Gambia. Zimbabwe turned down an application to build a donkey slaughterhouse, while Ethiopia closed its only functioning donkey abattoir after residents complained about the smell.

But the bans have led to a flourishing illegal trade in donkey skins that has soared prices, according to media reports. Animal rights groups have since issued a plea to many countries to stop the illegal worldwide trade in donkey products.