Ostrich feather industry linked to luxury brand animal cruelty

A report by World Animal Protection and Collective Fashion Justice has linked luxury fashion brands and fast fashion retailers to the mistreatment of ostriches in South Africa. The investigation, titled ‘Blood Feathers’, examines the commercial breeding and feather processing industry in a country that accounts for approximately 75% of global ostrich derivative production.

The report alleges that ostriches are subjected to cruel and painful techniques during feather extraction, including being cornered by workers and having their heads covered with bags while feathers are removed from live birds without pain relief. Investigators documented injured animals on farms, some of which were unable to stand or suffered from eye and feather wounds.

The findings suggest that suppliers for major international brands, including Yves Saint Laurent, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Chanel, and Shein, are connected to the farms where these practices occur.