Following the announcement by security agencies in Egypt regarding the arrest of a suspect involved in the slaughter of 10 donkeys and dumping their bodies in a drain in the city of Tala in Monofia Governorate, a wave of concern and panic took over social media users regarding the reasons that drove the suspect to slaughter the donkeys and skin them. Questions arose about the fate of those skins and slaughtered meats. This incident is not the first of its kind, as many Egyptian governorates have seen residents discover slaughtered donkey carcasses.
Sky News Arabia spoke with Hassan Khalaf, former director of the Veterinary Directorate in Cairo, who revealed the reasons behind the recent occurrences of donkey slaughtering in Egypt. Khalaf explained that the rise in donkey slaughtering crimes and skinning in Egypt is attributed to the selling of these skins, which are imported by countries like China at high prices due to their use in various industries.
He continued in exclusive statements to Sky News Arabia that donkey skins contain "gelatin," which is used in the production of confectionery, as well as "collagen," which is utilized in cosmetic products for treating facial and body wrinkles.
### Difference Between Donkey Meat and Ordinary Meat
Khalaf added that some individuals who slaughter donkeys sell their meat to unscrupulous traders to be offered in markets as fit for human consumption. He clarified that it is possible to distinguish between donkey meat and regular meat based on the characteristics of each animal. Donkey meat is free of fat due to their exertion and heavy labor.
Khalaf further noted that we can also distinguish between cow and buffalo meat based on its light brown to pinkish color, while donkey meat tends to be purple. He added that cooking ordinary meat emits a pleasant aroma, in contrast to the foul smell emitted during the cooking of donkey meat.
### Legal Slaughter
In related news, Khaled Selim, general captain of veterinarians in Egypt, confirmed to Sky News Arabia that the only officially authorized entity to slaughter donkeys in Egypt is the zoo, which uses this type of meat as food for carnivorous animals. Security sources revealed details about the arrest of the suspect involved in slaughtering donkeys and disposing of their bodies in the "Babel Kafr Al-Arab" drain in the city of Tala, confirming that a force from Tala police raided the suspect's home and seized the donkey skins found in the drain.
The sources affirmed that the suspect was found with the donkey skins, including the "ears" skin, and a report had been filed against him in a similar case. The suspect admitted to committing the act but claimed he was using dead or sick donkeys. Sources indicated that the suspect confessed during the investigation that he collects skins from dead donkeys to make "drums," and he will be presented to the public prosecution for appropriate legal action regarding the incident.
