Niger has banned the export of donkeys, warning that a three-fold increase in trade, mainly to Asian countries, is threatening its donkey population.

尼日尔禁止对外出口驴制品，并表示亚洲国家的驴制品需求已使其交易量增长了三倍之多，这将威胁到本国驴的数量。

"If the export continues the animals will be decimated," a government official has told the BBC.

一位政府官员表示：“如果驴制品出口量持续增加，驴的数量势必大幅减少。”

China imports many donkey hides, using the gelatin in medicinal tonics¹, aphrodisiacs and anti-ageing creams.

中国进口大量驴皮，使用驴胶来制作补品、催欲药以及抗衰老护肤品。

In August, neighbouring Burkina Faso banned the export of donkey skins on similar grounds.

今年8月，尼日尔邻国布基纳法索也以同样的原因禁止驴皮的出口。

"About 80,000 donkeys have been exported so far this year compared to 27,000 last year," Atte Issa, at Niger's livestock³ ministry⁴, said.

尼日尔畜牧局的工作人员阿特•伊萨表示：“比起去年2.7万的出口量，今年大约有8万头驴出口到国外。”

The government has also banned the slaughter⁵ of any donkeys within Niger.

政府同时也发布了禁止在尼日尔境内屠杀驴的法令。

The BBC's Baro Arzika in Niger's capital, Niamey, says the trade in donkeys has become so profitable that livestock sellers are abandoning other animals for the donkey trade.

据BBC报道，由于驴制品交易获益丰厚，牲畜经营商们纷纷放弃经营其他畜类产品，专门做驴制品生意。

A donkey now costs between $100 (£75) and $145, when it used to cost about $34.

以往，一头驴只能卖到34美元，而今可以卖到100美元到145美元。

A similar price hike in donkey skin was witnessed in Burkina Faso where the animal's hide rose from about $4 (£3) a few years ago to $50.

在布基纳法索，驴皮价格同样从几年前的一张4美元涨到了50美元。

In both countries donkeys are commonly used to transport goods, though some communities eat their meat.

在这两个国家，驴多被用来运输货物，在部分地区，也会吃驴肉。

The ban was issued through a joint decree by Niger's ministries⁶ of farming, finance and internal affairs and trade.

这项禁令由尼日尔的农业部门、财政部门以及内政外贸部门联合发布。

Why China can't get enough donkeys

为什么中国的驴市场总是供不应求？

Gelatin made from donkey skin is highly prized in China as a medicinal tonic², thought to nourish the blood, boost the immune system and act as a general pick-me-up. It is sometimes referred to as one of the "three nourishing treasures" (zi bu san bao), along with ginseng and the antlers of young deer.

中国人认为从驴皮中提取出来的驴胶具有疏通血液、改善免疫机制以及提神的功能，多用于制作保健补品，被视为保健珍品。有时，驴胶与人参、鹿茸一同被称为“滋补三宝”。

The most famous donkey gelatin is produced in Dong'e County in Shandong Province, where it is traditionally made with the local well-water.

中国山东省东阿县是最著名的驴胶产地，当地用古法井水制作驴胶。

Donkey gelatin is sometimes mixed with walnuts⁷, goji berries and other tonic foods and sold in dark, gummy slabs⁸ that can be eaten as a snack.

驴胶通常与核桃、枸杞以及其他滋补品一起混合制成黑色有嚼劲的厚片，可以用来当零食吃。

Health and longevity⁹ is a Chinese national obsession¹⁰, and tonic foods like this are often lavishly¹¹ packaged and presented as expensive gifts.

健康长寿是中国人的追求，而类似的滋补品则经常以极为精美的包装作为贵重礼品相赠。

Aside from gelatin, donkey meat is a delicacy¹² in some Chinese regions, especially in the north of the country.

除了驴胶，驴肉也深受中国人喜爱，尤其是在中国北方地区。

Here, the lean meat is often simmered in a richly-spiced broth¹³, and then cooled, sliced and served with a refreshing¹⁴ dip of chopped garlic and vinegar. The meat has a fine, dense¹⁵ texture¹⁶ and a marvellous flavour that's a little reminiscent of beef.

在那里，精瘦的驴肉会配上香料在锅里炖，等到驴肉冷却再切片，与蒜片醋料一同呈上餐桌。驴肉纹理缜密坚韧，味道极佳，风味有点像牛肉。

In northern Hebei province, one famous snack is the lu rou huo shao, in which chopped, spiced donkey meat is mixed with fresh green chilli and stuffed into a layered pastry¹⁷ - its name is sometimes translated into English as a "donkey burger".

河北省北部有一种叫做驴肉火烧的著名小吃：切碎的驴肉与新鲜的青椒一同夹入烧饼的夹层中——有时候驴肉火烧在英语里被译成“驴肉汉堡”。

Donkey meat may also be made into soups and stews¹⁸.

驴肉也可以做汤。

As the Chinese middle classes have grown richer, demand for donkey gelatin and other tonic delicacies¹⁹ has soared - in January the New York Times reported that a shortage of donkey gelatin had encouraged a boom in imitation products.

随着中国中产阶级生活水平的提高，驴胶和其他滋补品的需求猛增——今年1月《纽约时报》曾报道，因驴胶短缺，仿制品也开始大幅增加。