Donkey Sanctuary praises airline for helping to combat donkey skin trade

The call comes on World Donkey Day (May 8) as part of the Sidmouth-based charity’s ongoing campaign against the donkey skin trade.

Every year millions of donkeys are killed for their skins, which are exported across the world and used to make traditional medicines and remedies. 

Joint research by The Donkey Sanctuary and the University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School and Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU) has uncovered significant evidence linking the movement of donkey skins with other illegal wildlife trafficking and organised crime.

In February African heads of state agreed to ban the slaughter of donkeys for their skins, in recognition of animal welfare concerns and the vital role donkeys play in supporting African communities and economies.

Shortly afterwards the Emirates airline extended its zero-tolerance policy on the carriage of banned species, hunting trophies and other associated products to cover donkey hides and parts.

Marianne Steele, CEO of The Donkey Sanctuary, said: “This is a cruel and unsustainable trade which acts as a Trojan horse for illegal wildlife trafficking and organised crime, and poses a serious threat to global biosecurity.

“Emirates and other leaders in the transport sector should be commended for their decisive and market-leading action which will not only protect donkeys and the communities around the world who rely on them, but will also help prevent the trafficking of other threatened species and reduce the risk of disease being passed from donkey skins to humans.

“We hope that by taking leadership on this important global issue and banning the carriage of donkey skins on Emirates flights, they will inspire others to do the same.”

Robert Fordree, Senior Vice President of Cargo Operations Worldwide, Emirates SkyCargo said: “We are proud global leaders in the fight against the trafficking and illegal exploitation of wildlife. This long-standing commitment enabled us to mobilise immediately to ban the carriage of donkey skins under our existing zero-tolerance policy. We will continue to collaborate with organisations such as The Donkey Sanctuary and United for Wildlife to protect the world’s biodiversity for generations to come.”