Pakistan has world's third largest number of donkeys

Pakistan has the world's third largest population of donkeys and continues to rise steadily, reaching 5.9 million, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

According to the Pakistan Economic Survey (PES) 2023-24, the population of the "beasts of burden" has been increasing steadily during the past few years as its population witnessed an increase of 100,000 to reach 5.9 million during the fiscal year 2023-24, compared with 5.8 million during the previous fiscal year.

There were 5.5 million of them in 2019-2020, 5.6 million in 2020-21, 5.7 million in 2021-22, 5.8 million in 2022-23 and 5.9 million in 2023-24.  

Pakistan has the world’s third-largest population of donkeys, while China stands at number one.

According to a 2022 report, China was looking to import donkeys and dogs from other countries due to increased local demand and decreased production in the country.

In 2022, China has approached Pakistan to import donkeys since there is a high demand back home.

The Pakistan government had even set up a farm of over 3,000 acres in Okara district in its Punjab province, intending to export donkeys to help with the country's economy.

The first-of-its-kind government-owned farm is used to rear donkeys of "great breeds", including American, to increase the export to China and other countries.

China earlier used to import its stock of donkeys from Niger and Burkina Faso, until the two West African countries banned their export.

China requires donkeys to obtain gelatin from their skin which is used to manufacture traditional Chinese medicine.

For this, the donkeys are slaughtered and their skin is then boiled. The gelatin is believed to have properties that boost the immune system, as per a Guardian report in 2019.