Petition Delivered to Amazon Headquarters
Animal welfare advocates, including the Brooke USA Foundation, have presented over 370,000 signatures to Amazon, urging the company to prohibit the sale of products containing donkey skin gelatine. This petition was delivered at a gathering outside Amazon’s headquarters in Virginia on 16 October, as part of a coalition effort to halt the sale of ejiao, a gelatine derived from donkey hides that is often included in cosmetic items.
Widespread Slaughter of Donkeys for Ejiao
The demand for ejiao has resulted in the slaughter of an estimated five million donkeys each year across regions including China, Africa, and South America. This trade is often driven by unproven health claims associated with the product. Jim Hamilton, DVM and Chairman of Brooke USA, highlighted the issue, stating, “The international trade in donkey-hide gelatin is causing significant suffering, leading to the mass slaughter of donkeys and impacting impoverished communities globally. We must take immediate action to shut down this illicit trade, which harms both humans and animals. Amazon has a responsibility to lead by example and remove all products containing ejiao from its platform.”
Demonstration and Rally for Change
Prior to the petition delivery, a rally was held in Metropolitan Park, organised by various animal welfare groups, including Ekō, the Animal Welfare Institute, and the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Alliance. These organisations united to call for an end to the sale of ejiao products on Amazon’s site, highlighting the brutal conditions faced by donkeys involved in this trade.
Growing Global Demand Threatens Donkey Populations
The global appetite for donkey skins is alarming, with estimates suggesting that nearly five million skins are harvested annually. This rate of slaughter could lead to the extinction of half the world’s donkey population within the next five years. Furthermore, the cross-border smuggling of donkeys for their hides presents significant risks, including potential disease transmission from animals to humans, which could contribute to future pandemics.
Call for Comprehensive Action Against Ejiao Trade
Brooke USA has initiated a global movement to oppose the sale of ejiao on Amazon, alongside its UK counterpart, Brooke. Both organisations are advocating for a total ban on the trade, urging the enforcement of existing prohibitions and a crackdown on illicit cross-border transactions. In 2021, the Ejiao Act was reintroduced in the House of Representatives to outlaw the sale and trade of ejiao in the United States, and Brooke USA is actively lobbying for its enactment.
Outrage Over Ongoing Sales on Amazon
Lacey Kohlmoos, Senior Campaign Manager at Ekō, expressed frustration regarding Amazon’s continued sales of ejiao products, stating, “It is shocking that Amazon permits these sales, fully aware of the cruel treatment that donkeys endure. Many donkeys are stolen from families, subjected to dehydration and physical abuse before being brutally killed for their skins. I hope today’s demonstration, along with the voices of over 370,000 supporters worldwide, will persuade the company to do the right thing for both the affected families and the donkeys.”
Impact on Communities and Future Efforts
The trade not only inflicts suffering on animals but also devastates communities in developing countries that rely on donkeys for their livelihoods. In February 2024, the African Union announced a continent-wide ban on the donkey skin trade, thanks to advocacy from Brooke and other animal welfare organisations. Brooke USA and Brooke continue to collaborate with governments and policymakers to safeguard donkeys from unnecessary suffering and exploitation worldwide.
