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Improved Preservation and Early Stage Processing of Australian Crocodile Skins A report for the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation by Stephen Hawkins and Chi Huynh CSIRO Textile and Fibre Technology December 2004 RIRDC Publication No 04/164 RIRDC Project No CWT-3A © 2004 Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation. All rights reserved. ISBN 1 74151 073 2 ISSN 1440-6845 ‘Improved Preservation and Early Stage Processing of Australian Crocodile Skins’ Publication No. 04/164 Project No. CWT-3A The views expressed and the conclusions reached in this publication are those of the author and not necessarily those of persons consulted. RIRDC shall not be responsible in any way whatsoever to any person who relies in whole or in part on the contents of this report. This publication is copyright. However, RIRDC encourages wide dissemination of its research, providing the Corporation is clearly acknowledged. For any other enquiries concerning reproduction, contact the Publications Manager on phone 02 6272 3186. Researcher Contact Details Dr. Stephen C Hawkins CSIRO Textile and Fibre Technology, PMB 10, Clayton MDC, Victoria 3168 Phone: 03 9545 2364 Fax: 03 9545 2363 Email: [email protected] In submitting this report, the researcher has agreed to RIRDC publishing this material in its edited form. RIRDC Contact Details Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation Level 1, AMA House 42 Macquarie Street BARTON ACT 2600 PO Box 4776 KINGSTON ACT 2604 Phone: 02 6272 4819 Fax: 02 6272 5877 Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.rirdc.gov.au Published in December 2004 Printed on environmentally friendly paper by Canprint Foreword The skin of the Australian saltwater crocodile, (Crocodylus porosus) reputedly produces the best quality crocodile leather in the world. Crocodiles have been farmed in Australia since 1972 to supply the international demand for these skins, and hence reduce the pressure from poaching of wild animals. Australia currently produces around 10,000 skins per year which can be valued at up to around $600 each. Farming also produces meat and generates considerable tourism revenue in tropical Australia. Trade in crocodile products is strictly controlled under the CITES regulations. Crocodile skin is easily damaged by poor husbandry of the live animal or mishandling of the skins after slaughter, resulting in scratches, infections, staining and microbial degradation and thus substantial loss of value. The project reported here describes research to improve the post-slaughter early stage processing and preservation of skins in order to maintain them in optimum condition. Processes were developed to suit the unique characteristics of crocodile skins, and the particular trading and processing requirements used in this industry, where most skins are exported to specialist tanneries in Asia and Europe. This research is supported by RIRDC and CSIRO with additional support from Koorana Crocodile Farm and was conducted by CSIRO. It complements previous and current research supported by RIRDC in areas of crocodile husbandry and breeding to ensure the sustainability of this important rural industry. This project was funded from RIRDC Core Funds which are provided by the Australian Government. This report, an addition to RIRDC’s diverse range of over 1000 research publications, forms part of our New Animal Products R&D program, which aims to accelerate the development of viable new animal industries. Most of our publications are available for viewing, downloading or purchasing online through our website: • downloads at www.rirdc.gov.au/fullreports/index.html • purchases at www.rirdc.gov.au/eshop Simon Hearn Managing Director Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation iii Contents Foreword............................................................................................................................................................... iii Executive Summary.............................................................................................................................................. v 1. Introduction....................................................................................................................................................... 1 2. Fleshing.............................................................................................................................................................. 3 2.1 Background and Objectives....................................................................................................................... 3 2.2 Methodology and Experiment.................................................................................................................... 3 2.3 Results and Discussion .............................................................................................................................. 3 2.4 Conclusions and Recommendations .......................................................................................................... 4 3. Preservation and Storage ................................................................................................................................. 5 3.1 Background and Objectives....................................................................................................................... 5 3.2 Methodology.............................................................................................................................................. 6 3.3 Experimental.............................................................................................................................................. 7 3.4 Results and Discussion ............................................................................................................................ 10 3.5 Conclusions and Recommendations ........................................................................................................ 16 4. Shrinkage......................................................................................................................................................... 18 4.1 Background and Objectives..................................................................................................................... 18 4.2 Methodology............................................................................................................................................ 19 4.3 Experimental............................................................................................................................................ 19 4.4 Results and Discussion ............................................................................................................................ 21 4.5 Conclusions and Recommendations ........................................................................................................ 29 5. Fault Identification ......................................................................................................................................... 31 5.1 Background and Objectives..................................................................................................................... 31 5.2 Methodology............................................................................................................................................ 31 5.3 Results and Discussion ............................................................................................................................ 31 5.4 Conclusions and Recommendations ........................................................................................................ 34 6. Quality Management ...................................................................................................................................... 35 6.1 Background and Objectives..................................................................................................................... 35 6.2 Observations and Recommendations....................................................................................................... 36 7. Conclusions...................................................................................................................................................... 39 Appendices........................................................................................................................................................... 44 Appendix 1 Short-Term Preservation Procedure for C. porosus Skins......................................................... 44 Appendix 2. Long-Term Preservation Procedure for C. porosus Skins......................................................... 45 Appendix 3. Sources ...................................................................................................................................... 46 iv Executive Summary The Australian Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) is the largest crocodilian species and reputedly produces the best quality crocodile leather in the world. High demand for skins and excessive poaching greatly reduced their numbers and resulted in the establishment of crocodile farming in Australia from 1972, which is credited with reducing the threat of extinction of C. porosus in the wild. The value of crocodile skins is determined by their width at the third raised scute (scale) below the front legs, and by the grading outcome with 25% of the value being lost per grade level. Although the skin attracts prices of the order of US$9 per centimetre of width