Abuse rises as demand for body parts increases

Some people believes donkey parts are medicinal. Picture: Mark Hutchinson

Some people believes donkey parts are medicinal. Picture: Mark Hutchinson

Published Dec 9, 2016

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Cape Town - Donkey populations have declined rapidly across the world and now Africa finds itself to be the only continent with a healthy donkey population.

Belinda Abraham of the Cape of Good Hope (CoGH) SPCA said the animals have become the latest victims of the trade in animal parts for medicinal use in the Far East.

“Throughout South Africa, the cruel treatment of donkeys has suddenly escalated, a phenomenon brought about by a demand for the export of donkey by-products to Asia.

"Our donkeys are being rounded up, stolen, transported and brutally slaughtered for their skins for the production of Ejiao, a Chinese medicine believed to cure coughs, relieve insomnia and revitalise blood.”

Abraham added that the surge in demand had led to a spate of theft and cruelty towards the animals.

“The thriving export market is putting the welfare of donkeys at risk and, as is the nature of supply and demand, has pushed the price of donkeys beyond the reach of farmers and merchants who need to purchase them to maintain their livelihoods.”

Meanwhile, a CoGH SPCA trainee wildlife inspector, Minette Pieterse, responded to reports of a resident who was attempting to sell an injured mole snake, presumably to be used in traditional medicine.

The man was apprehended in the Phumlani informal settlement and intended selling it for R100.

“Its back appeared to be broken - more than likely the result of being struck across its spine in order to subdue it,” Pieterse said.

She said mole snakes were typically aggressive when handled and tended to fight back to protect themselves, but the reptile had been subdued, indicating that it was in a lot of pain.

Last week a seal was found outside the home of a traditional healer in Philippi East. It was in pain and shock, and the SPCA put it down.

On Saturday an angulate tortoise and a Cape mountain tortoise were found in Blikkiesdorp, also at the home of a traditional healer. The angulate was rescued, while the Cape Mountain tortoise was dead by the time vets arrived.

Report animal cruelty or the illegal trade in wildlife to the SPCA at 0217004158/9 or a/* at 0833261604

Cape Argus

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