How does the crocodile breeding farm in Thailand live and work

The farm for breeding crocodiles "Sri Ayutaya" (Sri Ayuthaya) - one of the largest in Thailand and has been working for 35 years. This is a full-cycle enterprise: from an incubator to the production of luxury goods. In total there are about 150 000 crocodiles on the farm.

In the incubator of the farm "Sri Ayutthaya".

Photo: REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

Sri Ayutthaya Farm is registered in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora ( CITES), which allows it to legally export products from Siamese freshwater crocodile. In Thailand, there are government programs to increase the number of crocodiles in the wild and all large farms cooperate with government agencies in this direction.

Photo: REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

The Siamese freshwater crocodile lives in Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand and the island of Kalimantan, prefers to live in swamps, in small rivers and along the shores of lakes. The basis of his diet is fish, he also eats amphibians, reptiles and small mammals. Sexual maturity Siamese crocodile reaches at the age of 10 years. During the rainy season (April-May) the female builds a nest and lays 20 to 50 eggs. After about 80 days, the cubs hatch from them, and then the mother opens the nest and takes them to the water. At first she cares about her offspring and protects him from predators.

Photo: REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

Photo: REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

Crocodiles on the farm "Sri Ayutthaya" are fed with waste products of chicken meat.

Photo: REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

Photo: REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

Photo: REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

In the slaughter shop of the farm "Sri Ayutthaya."

Photo: REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

Meat crocodiles are for customers 300 baht (9 dollars) per kilogram. Of the bile and blood of reptiles, they make funds that are believed to help with various diseases. Such drugs can cost up to 40,000 baht (1175 dollars) per kilogram.

Photo: REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

From the skin of crocodiles on the farm make fashion accessories: handbags in the style of Birkin, whose price can reach 80,000 baht (2358 dollars), a purse, belts. Especially popular are jackets from crocodile skin - they can cost up to 200,000 baht (5,900 dollars).

Coloring shop on Sri Ayutthaya farm.

Photo: REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

Blanks for making accessories from leather.

Photo: REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

Here they make fashionable bags and a purse made of those who recently feasted on chicken in the pool.

Photo: REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

The past year has turned out to be unsuccessful for the "crocodile" industry in Thailand - exports in comparison with 2015 fell by 60%, to 13 million baht. Small farms are ruined, and only such large industries as Sri Ayutthaya remain afloat.

Photo: REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

A source: "Other news".