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In September 2015, PETA investigators traveled to South Africa to get never-before-seen footage inside the largest ostrich slaughter companies in the world, including the exclusive supplier of ostrich skins for Hermés Birkin bags. Investigators saw workers force terrified ostriches into stun boxes—causing many to slip and fall—and then slit their throats. The ostriches next in line watched helplessly as their flockmates were killed right in front of them.
Workers were caught on camera striking ostriches in the face during transport, and when ostriches stumbled over a collapsed flockmate outside a slaughterhouse, a plant director joked, "I'll call the animal welfare officer just now."
These slaughterhouses supply ostrich skins to Hermés, Prada, Louis Vuitton, and other top European fashion houses. Feathers, some of which are ripped out of the ostriches' skin while they are fully conscious, are sold for use in festivals like Moulin Rouge and Brazil's Rio Carnival as well as in feather dusters, boas, and accessories. Ostrich meat is also sold throughout South Africa and exported primarily to Europe.
South Africa: The Ostrich Killing Capital of the World
The Western Cape of South Africa is home to the largest ostrich slaughter companies in the world, which supply "luxury" ostrich skins to Hermeacute;s, Prada, and other major fashion houses.
Our investigators saw the juvenile birds tightly packed into open-topped vehicles for the terrifying journey to slaughter. Once they reach the slaughterhouse, workers forcibly restrain each bird, electrically stun them, and then cut their throats. Moments later, the feathers are torn off the birds' still-warm bodies, the skin is cut off their backs, and they are dismembered.
The Intelligent Ostrich: Far From a 'Fabric'
While ostriches can live for more than 40 years, farmed ostriches are slaughtered when they are just 1 year old. And while young ostriches typically stay with their parents for up to three years, ostriches raised on factory farms will never even get to meet their parents.
These intelligent birds share parental duties, with the camouflaged mother taking care of the eggs during the daytime and the father, who has black feathers, taking night-time duty. One farm manager told our investigators that he has seen ostriches take turns fanning each other on hot days, remarking, "I have a lot of respect for ostrich."
Urge Hermés and Prada to Ditch Exotic Skins
Join us in putting pressure on Hermés and Prada to remove ostrich and other exotic skins from their collections, and always choose vegan fashions.