Current Events reading Tuesday 17th June

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What is unusual about the reptiles at Nyanyana Farm?

The crocodiles at Nyanyana farm are vegetarians, which is unusual because crocodiles in the wild are carnivorous, but the crocodiles in Nyanana farm are herbivorous. They don't attack other animals, as they are not interested. Another thing that makes them unusual is that they sleep most of day. This makes them mellower and cost a lot less. Them being vegetarian also made their skin softer, which is better to sell. They also sleep a large portion of the day, which makes it easier than clean and maintain the enclosure. The crocodile skin also goes to company such as Gucci and Hermes.

How did they turn this way?

The crocodiles becoming vegetarian was a mistake. The company found it impossible to find food for the 164,000 crocodiles as Zimbabwe had a food crises, so they turned to pellets that had vegetables and meat. They observed the crocodiles and found out that the change in diet did not seem to harm the growth and health of the crocodiles. They then completely cut out the meat, and raised the crocodiles on vegetable pellets. 

What are the crocodiles being bred for? 

The crocodiles are being bred for their skin, to sell off to well known fashion companies to be crafted into belts, handbags and shoes. The skin is also sent to european Tanneries where it is changed into leather, then shipped off to companies that use leather.

Critical thinking.

How do you feel about the crocodiles being bred for their skin? Is it different from breeding cows or chickens that are killed for their meat? Why?

I feel that this is both a bad idea and a good idea. The reason I think that this is a bad idea is, humans don't need leather, but we still take it. The good part of this is that at least we are waiting for them to reproduce and grow older. If we were that mean to just kill them, without them reproducing then that is when a problem forms. The way they are doing it is fine (not saying I hate the idea of killing them just for looks) as they are waiting for them to grow old. I do hate idea that humans are taking a life for fashion, for looks.

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