You might assume that donkeys are ubiquitous, yet for many people in rural Africa, they are a lifeline. Some countries are now concerned that they may even go extinct. Chinese traditional medicine known as ejiao is made from donkey skins, which are stolen and cruelly butchered by local criminal gangs to supply the market
large parts of Africa, including Kenya, the humble donkey has been under threat from poaching for allegedly magic potions. To discourage thieves, Kenya last year banned donkey slaughterhouses and this month is holding its first donkey festival to encourage their protection
A donkey owner gives his animals healthier food in Ethiopia, where an estimated seven million donkeys are used for transporting water, wood, building materials and people