Shocking! Madhya Pradesh Sees 94% Drop In Donkey Population; Is It India’s Next Endangered Species?

In gravely concerning news, Madhya Pradesh is witnessing a shocking 94% drop in its donkey population in just a span of three decades. In less than 30 years, MP, which had 48,289 donkeys in 1997, is now left with just 3.052 donkeys, as per the latest animal census. Will the donkey be considered India’s next endangered species? Here’s what we know!

As per a report by Times Now, donkeys could be disappearing from Madhya Pradesh. With 94% of its donkey population vanishing in less than 30 years, this is a red alert for the state’s wildlife and conservation experts. The question arises, where have they gone? Most importantly, what’s the reason behind the rapid decline in the donkey population in Madhya Pradesh?

Nine out of 55 districts in Madhya Pradesh reported zero donkeys. An animal that once powered rural India’s transport and trade has witnessed a near-total disappearance in a relatively short span of time. While there is no formal report to explain its rapid decline, Naresh Kadyan, an animal rights activist from Gurugram, links the reason to China.

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Naresh Kadyan revealed to TOI that China is the cause of the decline in donkey population in Madhya Pradesh. Moreover, he demanded that the donkey be declared an endangered species in the future. The animal activist reveals that China has an increased demand for donkey hides. This is to fuel its booming “ejiao” industry. Donkey hides are boiled to extract gelatine, which is then used in traditional Chinese medicines, anti-ageing creams, aphrodisiacs and tonics. This is, in turn, pushing the species to extinction.

Here’s what official data reveals on the donkey population in different cities in Madhya Pradesh:

Meanwhile, what measures do you think we need to take as a nation to conserve the species?

Cover Image Courtesy: Canva Pro/Mo Semsem