Crocodile farms are places where people raise crocodiles for their skin or meat. Most of these operations are in Southeast Asia or Australia. Fashion companies demand crocodilian leather, especially from Australia and Thailand, to make high-priced bags and shoes. The animals are reared until they reach market size. Then they are killed to produce the leather products. It takes the skin of about four crocodiles to make one bag. Most crocodilian farmers euthanise their animals humanely. They use the same techniques used for livestock.
Many crocodilian farmers also generate a significant side income by making the farm a tourist attraction. They offer crocodile shows, feeding, sightseeing and other touristic activities at their farms. This helps to offset overhead costs and provide a regular source of income.
These farms are often situated in rural areas and may be open to the public. This makes them vulnerable to the threat of illegal trade in crocodiles and their parts. In addition, crocodiles are sensitive to human presence and can become aggressive when they see humans around. In recent years, several visitors to crocodile farms have been attacked and killed.
Most crocodilian farmers are aware of the risks and take precautions to protect their visitors. However, some are not. In one case, a man was bitten and killed by a crocodile in a Cambodian crocodile park. In another incident, a crocodile killed and ate a two-year-old girl.
Crocodilians are a keystone species in wetland ecosystems, maintaining biodiversity and productivity of wetlands. Their natural habitat is at risk from the widespread factory farming of these ancient reptiles to satisfy a luxury fashion industry, which demands high-end alligator and crocodile leather goods for tens of thousands of dollars each. The farming of these animals for fashion is a global wildlife protection crisis.
The crocodilian is a prehistoric reptile with an extremely long lifespan. It is important for a healthy ecosystem, but these animals are now being farmed in large numbers, mostly in developing countries, to supply the international fashion industry with luxury leather. This factory farming is a major threat to wild crocodiles and the people who live in their wetlands.
Crocodylus porosus, Crocodylus nyloticus and Alligator mississippiensis are the species most commonly raised. The vast majority of crocodilian farms in the world are located in Asia, with most operating in Cambodia and Vietnam. The crocodilian industry is growing quickly in China and the Philippines.
A crocodile can survive for more than 100 years. The average crocodile farm can house about 80 adult crocodyles and more than 200 eggs.
The crocodile farm is an important part of the Cambodian economy, providing employment to hundreds of people. It also contributes to reducing the number of crocodiles that are being killed and eaten in the wild.