UK-based Animal welfare group The Donkey Sanctuary has applauded Air Canada and Emirates for their worldwide embargo on the carriage of donkey skins on all their flights, saying it is a significant step toward protecting animal welfare, public health, and the environment.
Each year, at least 5.9 million donkeys are slaughtered for their skins meet demand for traditional medicine. This trade, often covert and unhygienic, poses serious threats to animal and human health. Research by The Donkey Sanctuary has exposed links between the transportation of donkey skins, illegal wildlife trafficking and the spread of zoonotic diseases.
One Health Day is a global campaign that highlights the interconnectedness between human, animal, and environmental health. The Sanctuary added that in light of escalating threats from infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance, the actions by Emirates and Air Canada demonstrate a strong commitment to this holistic approach.
By banning the carriage of donkey skins on all passenger and cargo flights, the airlines are helping to disrupt the international movement trade.
As donkey populations have been depleted across the world, the industry has shifted to global trade networks which source skins from vulnerable communities at any cost and often engage in theft of the animals.
