Part 1: The true cost of crocodile skin
Jan 9, 2026 •
Darwin’s crocodile farms supply some of the world’s most exclusive fashion houses.
But as award-winning journalist Katherine Wilson started looking into this booming hundred million dollar industry, she knew she had to visit the Northern Territory herself.
As she got closer to this secretive industry, what she found was shocking: animals being kept in cramped conditions and being killed in drawn out processes, Indigenous people who say they are being ripped off for dangerous work and claims of conservation by a scientist with a sordid criminal history.
This is part one of a two part series, which we originally published in August.
If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.
Part 1: The true cost of crocodile skin
1811 • Jan 9, 2026
Part 1: The true cost of crocodile skin
Darwin’s crocodile farms supply some of the world’s most exclusive fashion houses.
But as award-winning journalist Katherine Wilson started looking into this booming hundred million dollar industry, she knew she had to visit the Northern Territory herself.
As she got closer to this secretive industry, what she found was shocking: animals being kept in cramped conditions and being killed in drawn out processes, Indigenous people who say they are being ripped off for dangerous work and claims of conservation by a scientist with a sordid criminal history.
This is part one of a two part series, which we originally published in August.
If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.
Guest: Award-winning journalist Katherine Wilson
7am is a daily show from Solstice Media.
It’s made by Atticus Bastow, Cheyne Anderson, Chris Dengate, Daniel James, Ruby Jones, Sarah McVeigh, Travis Evans and Zoltan Fecso.
Our theme music is by Ned Beckley and Josh Hogan of Envelope Audio.