Global airlines unite against donkey skin trade on One Health Day

This landmark move 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 to meet demand for traditional medicine. This trade, often covert and unhygienic, poses serious threats to animal and human health.

Our research has exposed links between the transportation of donkey skins, illegal wildlife trafficking and the spread of zoonotic diseases. More than 70 per cent of emerging infectious diseases originate from animals, with many increasingly associated with the trade in wildlife and wildlife parts.

One Health Day is a global campaign that highlights the interconnectedness between human, animal, and environmental health. 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, these leading airlines are helping to disrupt the international movement of donkey skins, thereby protecting donkey populations and the communities that rely on them for transport, agriculture, and livelihoods.

Marianne Steele, our CEO, said: “The commitment shown by Air Canada sets a strong example of corporate leadership in championing animal welfare practices, advancing global health, and protecting biodiversity.

“As leaders in the transport sector, their decisive action deserved recognition – not only for protecting donkeys and the communities around the world that rely on them, but also contributing to reduce the risk of zoonotic disease transmission associated with this cruel and unsustainable trade.”