MAGALIESBURG, South Africa — Chinese demand for traditional medicines has sent poachers hunting for African animals from rhinos to pangolins. But as in countries from Burkina Faso to Kenya, South Africa is now seeing its donkey population plunge, threatening other businesses that make soaps and creams from donkey milk. A recent study by researchers from the University of South Africa showed the donkey population shrank from 210,000 in 1996 to about 146,000 in 2019. South Africa has two donkey dairies, but they may not be viable if prices for the animals keep rising. “The increased demand for donkey milk is mainly from people suffering from eczema, psoriasis,” he said.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer June 21, 2022 19:13 UTC