Thailand: Home to some of world's biggest crocodile farms

[rooster59]

Thailand: Home to some of world's biggest crocodile farms

By Athit Perawongmetha

 

A worker holds young crocodiles at Sri Ayuthaya Crocodile Farm in Ayutthaya province, Thailand, May 23, 2017. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha/Files

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand is home to some of the world's biggest crocodile farms, where tourists can see the giant reptiles lounging in the hot sun, chomping on chicken, or swarming in emerald green pools.

 

Some 1.2 million crocodiles are kept on more than 1,000 farms in Thailand, according to figures from the Thai department of fisheries. Some are equipped with slaughterhouses and tanneries to produce luxury products.

 

Sri Ayuthaya Crocodile Farm is one of Thailand's biggest and has been operating for 35 years.

 

"We're an all-in-one farm, creating jobs for the people, creating income for the country," said Wichian Rueangnet, the owner of Sri Ayuthaya, which has an estimated 150,000 crocodiles.

 

Sri Ayuthaya is registered with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), allowing it to legally export products made from the critically endangered Siamese freshwater crocodile, including to top buyer China.

 

"We do everything from raising crocodiles to slaughtering, tanning and exporting crocodile products," Wichian said.

 

Crocodile leather products include Birkin-style handbags, which sell for up to 80,000 baht ($2,356) each and crocodile leather suits, which fetch around 200,000 baht ($5,885), Wichian said.

 

Crocodile meat is sold for as much as 300 baht per kg (2.2 lb). The bile and blood of the reptile, made into pills because they are believed to have health benefits, are worth 40,000 baht and 500 baht per kg, respectively.

 

The industry has been facing a setback as exports of Thai crocodile leather products fell more than 60 percent in 2016 to 13 million baht from 34 million baht in 2015, commerce ministry figures show.

 

Click here http://reut.rs/2trx2zL for a photo essay that depicts the crocodile industry in Thailand. ($1=33.96 baht)

 

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-07-02

[Lupatria]

1.2 million crocodiles are kept by our caring animal lovers on more than 1,000 farms.

Or is it more like 5 million handbags, shoes, wallets and belts in a wait loop...?

[coulson]

Another hub for TAT to consider.

[yellowboat]

Shouldn't these animals be free ?  Are they not part of the ecosystem ? 

[Juan B Tong]

[colinneil]

Thailand home to some of the worlds biggest crocodile farms, also some of the biggest crocodile tears merchants as well.

[JAG]

Primary 3 and 4 went to a crocodile farm for their school trip last year. 

Very dodgy idea IMO! We certainly made sure we "counted them all out and counted them all back"!!

[Bluespunk]

5 hours ago, rooster59 said:

 

"We do everything from raising crocodiles to slaughtering, tanning and exporting crocodile products," Wichian said.

Repulsive trade. 

 

It keeps a species from extinction through commercial farming of them. 

 

They may claim it is best way to protect the species, but I would respectfully have to disagree. 

 

It is nothing but exploitation and a disingenuous way of avoiding proper conservation of both the species and their natural habitat. 

 

Just a personal point of view.

 

Rant over. 

 

Coffee brewing. 

Edited July 2, 2017 by Bluespunk

[LawrenceN]

I had a very tasty stir-fried spicy crocodile and vegetable dish just Friday evening at a local restaurant here in Chiang Mai. Only ฿150. I enjoyed it very much. I would order it again.

[Grubster]

2 hours ago, Bluespunk said:

Repulsive trade. 

 

It keeps a species from extinction through commercial farming of them. 

 

They may claim it is best way to protect the species, but I would respectfully have to disagree. 

 

It is nothing but exploitation and a disingenuous way of avoiding proper conservation of both the species and their natural habitat. 

 

Just a personal point of view.

 

Rant over. 

 

Coffee brewing. 

Alligators were endangered in 70s USA, when farming them became very popular and profitable, now the alligators are a nuisance animal in most souther states. Where are the wild cows.

[Bluespunk]

7 minutes ago, Grubster said:

Alligators were endangered in 70s USA, when farming them became very popular and profitable, now the alligators are a nuisance animal in most souther states. Where are the wild cows.

I'm sure humanity is equally troublesome for the alligators...

[tryasimight]

17 minutes ago, Grubster said:

Alligators were endangered in 70s USA, when farming them became very popular and profitable, now the alligators are a nuisance animal in most souther states. Where are the wild cows.

Similar to what is happening in Northern Australia with the (very large) saltwater crocodile.......but they are still protected.....and still eating people!

[dinsdale]

[Thongkorn]

12 hours ago, Lupatria said:

1.2 million crocodiles are kept by our caring animal lovers on more than 1,000 farms.

Or is it more like 5 million handbags, shoes, wallets and belts in a wait loop...?

also a good food,  crocodile meat is very good,

[Chongalulu]

3 hours ago, Thongkorn said:

also a good food,  crocodile meat is very good,

Funny that,they say the same about us.