Any celebrity (A-lister or not) is seen out and about with their beloved Hermes handbags. Take it from Kim Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian, Eva Longoria, Victoria Beckham, and Lady Gaga to get the "it" bags from the French label.
Commonly known for their signature Birkin bags laden with alligator or sometimes crocodile skin, Hermes has recently been getting some bad publicity thanks to PETA.
A photo posted by Khloé (@khloekardashian) on May 15, 2015 at 11:36am PDT
PETA, the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, recently posted a video on their YouTube account called "Belly of the Beast." The almost 7-minute video highlights the tragic fate of reptiles before they become a beautiful Hermes bag.
Investigators who were undercover were able to witness workers of Lone Star Alligator Farms in Winnie, Texas repeatedly shoot alligators using captive-bolt guns. Others were stabbing the reptiles to "dislocate their vertebrae, while some alligators were left to "scramble their brains" using metal rods.
A Kelly and a good book #flanerie #flaneurforever #hermes A photo posted by Hermès official account (@hermes) on Feb 17, 2015 at 9:15am PST
On the other side of the world in Kariba, Zimbabwe, farms operated by Padenga Holdings were also caught on video where the mistreated reptiles were forced to call a pit home, along with "tens of thousands" of other reptiles.
Padenga Holdings is a "stakeholder" in the Lone Star Alligator Farms company. The Zimbabwe operator is also one of the biggest Nile crocodile-farming firms around the globe.
A photo posted by Khloé (@khloekardashian) on May 18, 2015 at 12:38pm PDT
One undercover investigator even cited, "They are deprived of the opportunity to engage in natural behaviors including digging tunnels, playing, protecting their young, or using tools to hunt as they would do in nature."
Nile crocodiles have the ability to live up to 80 years of age. However, these reptiles are only able to live around three years before being slaughtered by facilities.
PETA President Ingrid E. Newkirk said in a press release via Ecouterre, "PETA's expose of Hermes suppliers in the U.S. and Africa reveals that every Hermes watchband or Birkin bag means a living, feeling being experienced a miserable life and a ghastly death."
She added, "People pay thousands of dollars for such accessories, but the reptiles on these cruel and disgusting factory farms are paying the real price."
Cannes here I come! Less luggage than last year! @lorealparisofficial #BecauseWeCannes #CannesXLoreal #Lorealista A photo posted by Eva Longoria (@evalongoria) on May 13, 2015 at 6:59pm PDT
Naturally, Hermes gave their comments on the recent allegations. "Hermes has established a strong network of farm partners to secure its supply in the highest skin quality."
The luxury brand's spokesperson added, "All our skins used by Hermes are sourced from farms where Hermes demands the best farming conditions, which conform to the international regulations. Hermes is continuously verifying all procedures. Any nonconforming parties will be dealt with accordingly and will be sanctioned."
Hyped for the day! Gotta wake up and go to bootcamp!!! @HypeEnergyUSA
A photo posted by Kim Kardashian West (@kimkardashian) on Dec 17, 2014 at 9:35am PST
Watch the horrific video of PETA's "Belly of the Beast" below.
