Donkeys could ‘join rhinos and elephants as an endangered species’ in Africa

Rising demand for beauty products is devastating donkey populations and is on course to endanger the species in Africa, a report reveals. About six million donkeys are slaughtered every year for their skins, from which collagen is extracted for use in food or drink supplements and in beauty products such as face creams used in Chinese medicine, which are marketed as luxury products. China’s donkey population has been hit hard by the surge in popularity of such products, with populations there collapsing by 76 per cent between 1992 and 2019, according to The Donkey Sanctuary. Watch more on Independent TV: Click here to subscribe to The Independent: About The Independent: Making Change Happen. The Independent is the world’s most free-thinking newsbrand, providing global news, commentary and analysis for the independently-minded. Connect with The Independent: Check out our full v