ASHENEWS reports that despite a ban on the export of donkey skins to China, illegal shipments of donkey skins from Nigeria continue to reach their destination, an animal rights organization, PETA has disclosed.
PETA has called on the h- to implement a nationwide ban on donkey slaughter.
The group expressed concern over the number of illegal shipments of donkey skins that still manage to go undetected.
The group, in a statement applauding the African Union leaders for announcing a continentwide ban on slaughtering donkeys for their skin states that the ban is expected to spare millions of donkeys from painful and terrifying deaths.
PETA noted that in 2022, it has urged the Nigerian Minister of agriculture and rural development to take action against donkey slaughter nationwide after reports of illegal consignments being intercepted by the diligent Nigeria Customs Service.
However, the organization remains concerned about the ongoing trade which goes undetected.
PETA Senior Vice President, Jason Baker in the statement said, “Donkeys are sensitive, smart, social individuals who don’t want to be slaughtered and sliced up for gelatine.
“PETA applauds the work of animal protection groups and the African Union in this decision and urges the Nigerian government to proceed with the proposed plans to implement a nationwide ban on the slaughter of donkeys in order to ensure that this cruel trade doesn’t continue.”
PETA’s investigations into donkey farms in China in 2017 revealed the inhumane treatment of animals, including confinement in cramped and filthy pens, beatings, and slaughter in deplorable conditions.
A similar investigation in Kenya in 2018 found donkeys suffering from untreated injuries and dying during the grueling journey to the slaughterhouse.
The organization expressed its plans to continue monitoring the situation pointing that the push for a nationwide ban in Nigeria is crucial to protect donkeys from unnecessary suffering and to put an end to the brutal trade.