Shocking new footage exposes cruelty on Hermès crocodile farms
News
French luxury brand Hermès plans to greatly expand their farming of Australian saltwater crocodiles in Australia’s Northern Territory by up to 50,000 crocodiles if plans for an additional crocodile facility proceed.
Image: Dean Sewell
But shocking new undercover footage released by the Farm Transparency Project has renewed calls for an urgent phase-out to begin of crocodile farming in Australia, which has been described as a barbaric and inherently cruel industry.
As detailed in our Fashion Victims report, the welfare of crocodiles on these farms is governed by an outdated and inadequate Code of Practice that relies on decades-old science, meant to be updated years ago.
Head of Campaigns at World Animal Protection, Ben Pearson said:
“The crocodile farming industry is grotesque and inherently cruel, where wild animals are denied a wild life or the freedom to exhibit their natural behaviours. Crocodiles are wild animals, not handbags. They are sentient beings who don't deserve to languish in plastic-lined pens for the profits of French fashion houses.
“We are calling on the Minister for Environment and Water, The Hon Tanya Plibersek MP, to stop the expansion of this cruel and barbaric industry, by rejecting an export permit for the Hermès crocodile farm. As Environment Minister she has obligations to promote the humane treatment of wildlife. Crocodile farming is the exact opposite.
“An expansion of crocodile farming would send a message to the international community that the Australian Government believes the farming of wild animals and is acceptable. Instead, they should be working to phase-out and end the trade in wild animals.
“The wildlife trade is not only a source of animal suffering but threatens human health by creating conditions that could lead to future pandemics. We must accept that human wellbeing is intrinsically linked to the health of animals and the natural world.”
Australia accounts for 60% of the global trade in saltwater crocodile skins, with two thirds of that produced in the Northern Territory.
A recent poll, conducted by World Animal Protection, found many Australians (74%) were largely unaware how Australian crocodiles were being farmed and killed for their skin*.
The polling also showed that most Australians (88%) were unaware that French luxury companies like Hermès and Louis Vuitton (LVMH) owned most of the Northern Territory’s crocodile farms*.
In response to the shocking new footage from a Hermès crocodile farm, World Animal Protection, alongside The Kindness Project, Collective Fashion Justice, Farm Transparency Project, Animal Liberation Queensland, Animal Liberation and others are leading a global digital protest targeting Hermés and their new proposed farm in Australia set to house up to 50,000 saltwater crocodiles.
Australian saltwater crocodiles are wild animals, not luxury French handbags.
Australian saltwater crocodiles are wild animals, not luxury French handbags.