Burrolandia’s Fight to Preserve Mexico’s Endangered Donkeys

Germán Flores founded Burrolandia in Otumba, Mexico State, after witnessing a 60 % drop in the national donkey population between 1994 and 2010. The sanctuary now cares for roughly 96 donkeys that are taken from exploitation, illegal slaughter, and the export trade in donkey skin. Each morning the animals are released to eat, play, and be groomed while staff clean the stables. To sustain them, Flores and his family provide about 400 kg of oats and alfalfa daily, a cost that averages roughly $6,000 per month, prompting the sanctuary to welcome visitors every weekend for support.

The Guardian

Donkeys, introduced to Mexico from Africa during the colonial era, once served agriculture, construction, and transport across rural communities. Mechanisation has displaced their traditional roles, leading many owners to abandon or mistreat them. Illegal slaughterhouses kill donkeys for meat sold as cheap beef or processed into “chitos,” a salted snack. In addition, the sanctuary reports that Mexico is a major exporter of donkey skin for ejiao, a Chinese blood-tonic product, feeding an industry that consumes about 5.9 million skins annually. Government sources provide no public data on this trade, and census efforts are hampered by rural conditions.

The Guardian

Burrolandia began with Flores’ personal effort in 2006 and has grown to house about 100 rescued donkeys, though only 96 reside on-site at present. The organization receives rescue reports from across the country but lacks the funding to intervene in every case. Visitor numbers fell during the pandemic but have since returned to pre-COVID levels, helping to offset operating costs.

The Guardian

Flores has repeatedly appealed to local authorities for action against donkey mistreatment, but official responses have been limited. He emphasizes the animal’s cultural significance, noting that donkeys have supported Mexican development for centuries and that their loss threatens a symbolic link to the nation’s heritage. His son, Raúl, now works alongside him, underscoring the family’s long-term commitment.

The Guardian

Beyond preserving a species estimated at 300,000 individuals nationwide, Burrolandia highlights broader issues of animal welfare, illegal trade, and rural economic change in Mexico. The sanctuary’s public outreach on May 1—coinciding with the national donkey fair where animals are often abused—offers an alternative narrative that celebrates, rather than exploits, these “incredibly grateful” creatures.

The Guardian