Surging demand and a shortage of donkeys in China have led, in the last few years, to the unprecedented emergence of a global donkey market, with reports of large-scale trade across Africa. According to Grace de Lange from the National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) Farm Animal Protection Unit, donkey prices in South Africa have increased more than fourfold in the last two years. South Africa's Animal Protection Act forbids cruelty towards animals. The HCCU launched a petition the same day calling for an end to all donkey slaughter in South Africa. Gumtree South Africa announced on Friday that is was prohibiting all sales of donkeys and donkey skins on its platform.

Source: The North Africa Journal February 24, 2017 14:18 UTC