abc.net.au/news/environment-minister-announces-crocodile-farm-industry-review/102655632The tropics of Australia's Top End might seem a world away from the uber-stylish European fashion runways, but they are linked by a common item: luxury goods made from crocodile skin.
Now, Australia's crocodile farming industry is going under the microscope, with the federal government announcing a review of the 14-year-old code of practice. "They are farmed predominantly for the skins: beautiful hides that make beautiful leather products," crocodile husbandry expert and Darwin-based farm consultant Sally Isberg said.Seven exporters have been approved to send skins out of the country, and while the industry is cloaked in secrecy, luxury brands including Hermes are involved in the Australian industry.
Once wild eggs are brought into farms, Ms Isberg said they're kept at a specific temperature to ensure as many embryos survive as possible.Young crocodiles are kept together and, depending on the size and type of the farm, go into solo pens as they get bigger."Crocs need both land and water [and] they are fed red meat," Ms Isberg said.