Flood displaced donkeys, horses, mules face illegal slaughter in Lahore

Pakistan’s recent devastating floods have not only displaced millions of people but also severely affected working animals, particularly donkeys, horses, and mules, which remain vital to rural livelihoods. In addition to the natural calamities, these animals face another growing threat: illegal slaughtering, which is shrinking their population and compounding economic and social challenges.

According to Javed Gondal, Country Director of Brooke Pakistan, the recent monsoon rains and cloudbursts across Punjab, Sindh, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have affected nearly 1.58 million animals.

In response, Brooke Pakistan deployed emergency teams in 29 districts. These teams have so far treated 7,190 horses, donkeys, and mules, while providing medical assistance to another 9,846 livestock. A total of 7,998 animals were vaccinated, and 6,754 were treated with anti-parasitic medication. To address feed shortages, 2,042 feed bags were also distributed.

Gondal noted that the organization extended support not just to animals but also to their owners. So far, 9,076 families have been provided with awareness sessions and guidance, alongside the distribution of 636 ration bags and first aid kits. In total, more than 8,500 working equines, over 51,000 families, and thousands of other livestock have benefitted from these relief activities.

Read: Livelihoods and economic stability hang in balance

Meanwhile, Syed Naeem Abbas, Advocacy Manager at Brooke Pakistan, warned that alongside flood-related losses, illegal donkey slaughtering poses a grave risk to the country’s donkey population. According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, there are currently 6.047 million donkeys in the country, with over 2.4 million in Punjab alone. Although official figures suggest an increase of 109,000 in the donkey population last year, the prevalence of illegal abattoirs continues to undermine these gains.

In a recent case, authorities raided an illegal slaughterhouse in Islamabad’s Tanol area, seizing more than 1,000 kilograms of donkey meat and rescuing 50 live animals. Reports indicated that the meat was being prepared for sale in Lahore and Islamabad, while the primary motive was the export of donkey hides and bones.

Abbas explained that donkey skins and bones are in high demand in Chinese markets for use in food items and traditional products. He noted that while several African countries have already imposed bans on donkey slaughtering, India too is witnessing a decline in its donkey population due to this growing trend.

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Highlighting the cruelty involved, Abbas said that animals are often mishandled during transport, leaving many injured or dead. He stressed that this practice also poses a public health threat, as nearly 70 percent of infectious diseases are zoonotic in nature.

Although the Pakistani government has signed agreements with a few Chinese companies permitting donkey slaughter, these contracts include a condition that companies must first invest in donkey breeding before being allowed to process them.