Raising a Stink
A recent WSPA investigation in Ethiopia has revealed acute suffering
for African civets caught from the wild and confined in captivity for
extraction of their musk. Here, the cruel tradition behind the perfume
industry is disclosed.
Last year, a WSPA investigation confirmed concerns raised some 25 years
earlier about conditions for captive civets in Ethiopia. African civets are
kept for their musk, a valuable commodity which is bought world-wide by
fragrance houses as a component of perfume. The African civet is fox-like in
face and size, with distinctive markings. It belongs to the viverrid family,
which has been in existence for the last 40-50 million years. Once found
throughout tropical Africa, civets are disappearing from large areas as they
are cleared for food production. Very few are left in the north of Ethiopia.
The investigation into civet farming carried out by WSPA's Manager for
Africa, Mike Pugh, was the first inspection of the industry for 25 years. "During
that time, the attitude of the general public has changed radically to the
use of animals and animal products in the production of cosmetics", he said.
"People feel they have a right to know about the methods involved in the
production of what they buy. This knowledge would enable them to make a
moral judgement as to whether they want to buy or boycott these products."
In order to facilitate the collection of musk - or civet, as it is known
- wild animals are captured, and housed in tiny cages where the restricted
space makes handling them easier for farmers. Conditions on all of the farms
inspected did not take even the most basic welfare needs into account,
especially considering that all of these animals have been taken from the
wild. Attempts to breed civets in captivity have repeatedly failed. Several
thousand civets are kept on farms in Ethiopian, and in other parts of
Africa, although exact numbers are not known.
Musk is an animal secretion, used in nature by animals for marking
territory and attracting mates. It is used by the perfume industry to
provide a distinctive odour, and also acts as a fixative to preserve the
smell of other more delicate fragrances. Civet has been used in the
production of perfume for centuries, and was reportedly presented as a gift
to King Solomon by the Queen of Sheba (1013-982 BC), when she visited him in
Jerusalem. Methods of capture, handling and collection have not advanced in
the last 100 years.
There is no legislation concerning the capture or husbandry of civets. At
14in tall and 3½ft long - significantly bigger than a cat - each civet lives
in a cage about the size of a cat box. In a space which doesn't even
accommodate its full length, it will exercise, feed, defecate and groom for
the rest of its life. When civets are first caught and imprisoned, they are
unable to even turn around inside the cage's tiny interior until they have
lost weight.
Civets are nocturnal, and so their cages are kept in a dark room. A
smouldering fire maintains high temperatures, which farmers believe increase
the amount of musk produced. Ventilation is poor, and the atmosphere thick
with smoke. Although temperatures plummet at night, no bedding is provided,
and hypothermia is a common cause of death.
Maize and ox meat is fed to the civets in the evening, and after
musk-extraction butter, eggs or meat are given to replenish and boost
production. Spilt food attracts flies, and maggots are often found in and
around food containers. One of the most abhorrent threats to a civet's life
is the possible invasion of army ants, which can suffocate an animal that
has no escape by crawling on mass into its ears and nostrils.
Officially, a permit is needed for the capture of a civet, but the vast
majority of farmers do not even apply for one. "Although legislation exists
for the protection of wildlife in general, this is not enforced," explained
Mike Pugh. "The is no legislation specific to civet farming. This means that
no official in Ethiopia has the right of entry to civet farms."
Musk is taken every 9-15 days. The cages are made from sticks and twine
woven together, and for extraction the sticks are removed from one end of
the cage. While a rod is poked through a gap to trap the civet by the neck,
a sack is held over the opening to grab the hind legs of the civet. Once
secured, its rear end is pulled out so that the perineal gland at the base
of the animal's tail is exposed. The gland is opened up and squeezed until
the musk exudes. This process can take several minutes, after which time the
animal is often distressed. Injuries can easily be caused, and wounds are
never treated.
Verifying exactly which companies are guilty of using civet is an uphill
struggle. This is due both to the secretive nature of the perfume industry,
and to the concern of cruelty accusations. Between 1985 and 1996,
13,678.78kg of civet was exported from Ethiopia. Theoretically, this would
have helped to produce 118.367 million 30ml bottles of perfume, generating
an income of $6,391 million. Although many manufacturers have now stopped
using civet in favour of synthetic musks, large quantities are still being
produced and covertly used. However, synthetic musks are not necessarily a
humane alternative to real civet, as they may have been developed through
painful animal experimentation. The only guarantee of truly cruelty-free
perfumes are those that have been thoroughly investigated, and found to have
a reputable policy with regards to animal welfare.
Mike Pugh concludes, "Our findings underline the ongoing abuse of civets
in Ethiopia to provide musk for the perfume industry. This exploitation is
totally unacceptable, and appropriate pressure should be applied to ensure
that the deplorable conditions for animals on farms can be brought to an
end.
WSPA is urging the fragrance industry not to use natural civet musk, as
well as any synthetic musks that may have been developed
through painful animal experimentation. We would also
urge consumers not to buy products containing natural
civet."
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