I just stumbled across this rather interesting page on a website whilst researching ancient recipes for African perfumes. I had no idea that civets were kept in such appalling conditions and mainly in Ethiopia were their musk is being extracted and sold to the perfume industry. I mean – what is wrong with people? Why do they have to treat animals like that? Surely there is a better way of keeping these animals as they must be a valuable asset to the farmer (6.1 million Dollars made each year with “musk farming”!). It just is beyond me as to why humankind is so insensitive and brainless and rather than looking after animals properly and making sure they live a long and happy life which in turns leads to greater benefit to the “farmer, they have no respect for anything or anybody and no decency – I wonder how they treat their children!
Thankfully the WSPA has been involved now and this matter is being brought to the world’s attention. In how far this practice can be stopped is a question that remains unanswered but I am hopeful – the Chinese have been put on the spot with their cruelty towards bears in extracting their bile and maybe the Ethiopians will find that the market for musk being extracted from civets in that way is pretty much unsustainable under current conditions. Get proper conditions for the animals and you can even ask a higher price for the musk…..
