From Texas to Zimbabwe, PETA US’ investigators documented the appalling conditions in which animals are raised and/or killed for “luxury” Birkin bags, belts and watchbands.

Alligators are packed in dank pools and crocodiles are crowded in barren concrete pits for months or even years before finally being slaughtered for their skins. PETA US’ investigators documented that workers crudely hacked into the necks of some alligators and tried to scramble their brains with metal rods – all in the name of “luxury”. Some animals were still conscious, flailing and kicking, even minutes after workers tried to kill them.

 

Alligators Suffer Gruesome Deaths in Texas

In Winnie, Texas, there’s an alligator factory that sends skins to an Hermès-owned tannery, and there, PETA US’ investigator found alligators kept in fetid water and dank, dark sheds without sunshine, fresh air, clean water or even basic medical care. At just 1 year old, alligators are shot with a captive-bolt gun or crudely cut into while they’re still conscious and able to feel pain. PETA US’ investigator documented the following actions by workers there:

  • Repeatedly shooting alligators in the head with a captive-bolt gun
  • Cutting into more than 500 conscious alligators as they struggled to escape
  • Stabbing conscious alligators to try to dislocate their vertebrae – even though a manager had admitted that “reptiles will continue to live” after that
    The investigator saw alligators continuing to move their legs and tails in the bleed rack and in bloody ice bins several minutes after their attempted slaughter.

After the alligators’ miserable life and sometimes slow, gruesome death, their skins are sent to France and made into “luxury” items such as watchbands.

  • The skins are stripped from the alligators’ bodies, and the remaining flesh is removed. Salted skins are sent to an Hermès-owned tannery and possibly others for final processing.

  • Most alligators had raw skin around their jaws. Experts say that this painful condition may be a result of the farm’s filthy, severely crowded conditions.

    Workers cut into alligators’ necks, then hang them upside down in these tubes to bleed out. This knife is similar to the one used in attempts at cervical dislocation.

  • Most alligators had raw skin around their jaws. Experts say that this painful condition may be a result of the farm’s filthy, severely crowded conditions.

  • The skins are stripped from the alligators’ bodies, and the remaining flesh is removed. Salted skins are sent to an Hermès-owned tannery and possibly others for final processing.

    Because some alligators survive the attempts to slaughter them, they may be drowning or dying of hypothermia in these bins.

  • Workers prepare to drop an alligator into the bleed rack, where animals briefly hang upside down.

    Workers prepare to drop an alligator into the bleed rack, where animals briefly hang upside down.

  • A worker moves alligators who have been cut and briefly bled to an ice-water bin. PETA’s investigator saw some animals’ tails and limbs continue to move while in the water.

    A worker moves alligators who have been cut and briefly bled to an ice-water bin. PETA’s investigator saw some animals’ tails and limbs continue to move while in the water.

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    Zimbabwe's Concrete Crocodile Prisons

    At the facility of one of the world’s largest exporters of Nile crocodile skins in Zimbabwe, tens of thousands of crocodiles are confined to concrete pits from birth to slaughter. They are deprived of the opportunity to engage in natural behaviour, including digging tunnels, protecting their young or using tools to hunt as they would do in nature.

    In the wild, Nile crocodiles can live to be up to 80 years old, but at this facility, they are slaughtered at around the age of 3.

    Many belly skins are sent to an Hermès-owned tannery, where they end up becoming “luxury” items such as “Birkin” and “Kelly” handbags that can cost approximately Rs. 3,110,772 or more. It takes two or three crocodiles to make just one handbag.

  • More than 100,000 crocodiles are held in concrete pens at Padenga’s farms.

  • About 220 yearling crocodiles are confined to each concrete pen. The skins of these animals will be turned into products such as handbags, boots, and watchbands

  • Workers cut into a crocodile’s neck, then ram a wire down his or her spine. Stock footage: Crocodile slaughter, Zimbabwe (2009) ITN Source/Reuters

  • These crocodiles have just ostensibly had their necks cut, a wire rammed down their spines, and their brains scrambled with a metal rod (2009). Stock footage of crocodile slaughter and processing, Zimbabwe: ITN Source/Reuters

  • Over 60 hatchling crocodiles are packed into each concrete pen. They will remain there until they are around 9 months old

  • Over 60 hatchling crocodiles are packed into each concrete pen. They will remain there until they are around 9 months old.

    • Animals Abused for Hermès Products Need Your Help

    Ostriches are killed so that their skin can be turned into Hermès products, too. PETA US investigators filmed slaughterhouse workers forcibly restraining each bird, electrically stunning them, and then cutting their throats. Moments later, workers tore the feathers from the birds’ still-warm bodies and skinned them.

    In light of this damning evidence of abuse to animals used for “luxury” products, please use the form below to demand that Hermès stop selling items made from animals’ skins.

    Exposed: Crocodiles and Alligators Factory-Farmed for 'Luxury' Goods

    Targets +
    • Charlotte David
    All fields in bold are mandatory.
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