As informed consumers, we have to do our part. Purchasing exotic leather from certified and responsible sources guarantees not only a high quality product, but also a means of promoting sustainable and humane practices in the industry. Exotic leather, when produced ethically with certificates attesting to its origin, can be an example of sustainable luxury.
Farms for food purposes
A point that is often overlooked concerns the main purpose of many crocodile and python farms. In the same way as cattle, sheep and goat farming, they were created mainly to respond to a food need . The farmed animals have an initial food intake and then, just as happens with many other known farms, all the parts are used for different purposes, as has happened since man has existed on earth. The leather, which would otherwise be waste, is recovered and transformed into high-quality accessories, footwear and clothes.
Endangered species
It's true, many species of exotic animals are at risk of extinction and it is precisely farming that still guarantees their existence - for example the alligator in Florida . Most exotic skins come from controlled farms and never from poaching. These farms, similar to those of cows and chickens, have strict regulations to guarantee the sustainability of the species and traceability that goes from the farm to the tannery, with strict controls on the specific registers of each company operating in this sector.
Animal cruelty
Animal welfare is a key concern . Standards in certified farms ensure that animals are treated with care and respect. In fact, cruelty is a practice that is absolutely much more part of propaganda than reality. Further proof that these animals are well fed and have special spaces to stay calm is given by the use of leather as well as meat . If the animal were treated badly or kept in too narrow spaces it could develop aggression which would lead it to fight with other animals, injure itself, leaving scars on the skin which would take away its value. No one can say that these animals are caressed every day, but it is equally true that no one can say that they are kept in cruel conditions.
natural habitats
Luxury question
Common leather is everywhere, from clothes to shoes. Yet, while regular skin is often seen as a necessity, exotic skin is perceived as a luxury. However, like any other product, exotic leather has a market demand. Providing a sustainable and controlled alternative reduces the likelihood that unethical practices will be adopted to meet that demand.
Propaganda
It is undeniable that animal rights organizations play a crucial role in protecting animal welfare. However, extreme narratives can distort public perception . It is essential to inform yourself about the distinction between practices that are actually unethical and those that are sustainable, responsible and respectful in a broad sense of every being involved, including nature and the community that revolves around it.
With its distinctive texture and sophisticated appeal, exotic leather has always been synonymous with luxury and elegance. But its elitist nature has led to misconceptions about its provenance and method of production. It is essential, as aware and informed consumers, to direct our choices towards reliable and certified sources.
