Australian crocodiles to be cruelly slaughtered on new Hermès farm
French luxury brand Hermès plans to greatly expand their farming of Australian saltwater crocodiles in the Northern Territory, if plans for an additional crocodile facility proceed.
The report outlines that three to four crocodiles are killed to produce skins ‘fit’ for high-end items such as Hermès handbags.
Our new report Fashion Victims finds that 50,000 more Australian saltwater crocodiles could be cruelly farmed and killed for their skins unless the Federal Government acts.
Australia already accounts for 60% of the global production of saltwater crocodile skins, with two thirds coming from the Northern Territory.
The report outlines that three to four crocodiles are killed to produce skins ‘fit’ for high-end items such as Hermès handbags.
These sentient animals are farmed in crowded, plastic-lined enclosures to protect their skin from damage before a brutal slaughter.
Crocodiles experience pain and pleasure and in the wild will live for around 70 years but in captivity are killed at around two to three years of age.
Head of Campaigns at World Animal Protection, Ben Pearson said:
“Farmed crocodiles are wild animals, not handbags.
They are sentient beings who deserve to enjoy a wild life, not languish in plastic-lined pens for the profits of French fashion houses. They don’t deserve to pay the hefty price of their life for an expensive handbag.”
“We are calling on the Minister for Environment, Sussan Ley, 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”.
The new Hermès farm comes as the use of exotic skins is becoming increasingly controversial.
Leading brands such as Chanel, Victoria Beckham, Mulberry, Karl Lagerfeld, Vivienne Westwood and Tommy Hilfiger have committed to, or are moving away from, using exotic skins and wild animals in their products, shifting to humane and sustainable alternatives.
The global wildlife trade
Every day, thousands of wild animals are poached or farmed and sold into the cruel global multi-billion-dollar commercial trade.
We’re working to shift the way the world views wild animals, so they are no longer treated as mere assets to be exploited for commercial gain.
With your ongoing support, we’ve been lobbying the G20 world leaders – of which Australia is a member – to end the global wildlife trade.
“An expansion of crocodile farming would also send a message to the international community that the Australian Government believes the farming of wild animals and trade in wild animal products is acceptable.”
“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,” Mr Pearson added.
We’re calling on the Australian Government to work on a time-bound phase-out of this cruel industry.
Join us in the fight to end animal cruelty and stand up for Australia’s iconic saltwater crocodiles.
Thanks for everything you do for the most vulnerable animals around the world.
Please sign and share both Petitions:
https://www.thepetitionsite.com/de/takeaction/118/629/947/
And I mean…The proposed farm will house up to 50,000 saltwater crocodiles and was purchased for $ 7.25 million!
During full production, 30 people will be employed on the farm
Hermès and Louis Vuitton control most of the NT crocodile farms and prefer Australian saltwater crocodiles.
Both Hermès and Louis Vuitton tend not to put their crocodile farm holdings in the spotlight – none of their websites mention that they deal with the industry.
The Guardian report reveals that the Northern Territory government has already granted development approval for the project, with plans to install an egg incubator laboratory, a hatchery, and growing pens, as well as wastewater treatment plants and a solar farm.
The project has also been granted environmental approval, and PRI intends to apply for a wildlife trade permit, an Environmental Protection Authority statement sent to the Guardian has revealed.
PETA has reported these gruesome methods of murder: the crocodiles are electrocuted.
Their bodies shake and protest wildly. This may kill them, or they could be unlucky enough to still be alive as their necks are slit and then metal rods are rammed down their spin in an attempt to finish them off. Some still take a long time to pass, and have even been witnessed moving, still alive, as the skinning begins.
Three animals have to die for one bag
Germany, 2015: In front of a Hermès branch in Hamburg, activists from Peta demonstrate against the sale of crocodile handbags
And this is how the Hermes fashion brand works: They steal eggs from mother crocodiles in the wild. Then, once the eggs hatch within the factory farm walls, raise those tiny baby crocodiles to be submissive and spiritless — the exact opposite of how they would behave in the wild — lest their precious skin get damaged making it impossible for Hermès to use.
They are kept in tight concrete enclosures that restrict their movement and provide no stimulation. Once the crocodiles have grown big enough in these inhumane conditions, their skin is ready to be harvested.
One employee explains: “After hatching, the small crocodiles are brought to hatcheries. In the closed tanks, some of which are filled with water, they stay in groups of 30 to 40 animals for around nine months and are fed minced kangaroo meat six times a week.
Their belly skin contains no bones and consists of very small scales, a very feminine pattern, particularly popular for making handbags. “
It is hideous! At a time when the fur industry is going down, in the name of VANITY, Hermès plans to build Australia’s biggest crocodile factory farm!!
My best regards to all, Venus
World Animals Voice 
So very horrific! nothing is safe from man
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