‘Donkey rout’: MP loses 94% of donkeys in 3 decades, now just 3,000 left

BHOPAL: Will donkeys go extinct in Madhya Pradesh? The latest livestock census paints a grim picture — the state now has just 3,052 donkeys, a sharp fall from 49,289 in 1997, marking a 94% decline in less than three decades.Nine of the 55 districts have reported zero donkeys, signalling near-total disappearance of the animal that once powered rural India’s transport and trade.While there are no specific studies behind disappearance of donkeys yet, Gurgaon-based animal rights activist Naresh Kadyan had urged the Centre to declare donkeys an endangered species, warning that China’s demand for donkey hide is pushing the decline.

He blames China’s “ejiao” industry — where hides are boiled to extract gelatin used in traditional tonics, aphrodisiacs, and anti-ageing creams — for pushing the species toward extinction.Official figures show Narmadapuram has the highest number of donkeys (332), followed by Chhatarpur (232), Rewa (226), and Morena (228), while Vidisha, once home to over 6,400 donkeys, now has just 171, and Bhopal only 56. Districts such as Dindori, Niwari, Seoni, Harda, and Umaria recorded no donkeys at all, confirming local extinction.

The census reveals broader trends across livestock categories. Madhya Pradesh has a total of 3.75 crore animals, including 15.7 million cows, 10.2 million buffaloes, 10.9 million goats, 558,324 sheep, 9,971 horses, 972 mules, 2,896 camels, and 89,177 pigs.