3-11-2023 (BEIJING) A social media storm has erupted over a video posted on the short video-sharing platform Douyin, featuring a woman from Chongqing who demonstrated the process of killing and preparing an alligator for consumption.
The video was shared by the popular food vlogger known as “Chu Niang Xiao He,” who boasts a substantial following of over 3.5 million on the platform. However, the video quickly garnered a wave of negative reactions and sparked a debate about animal cruelty.
In the video, the vlogger provided a step-by-step demonstration of how to wash, gut, skin, and debone an alligator weighing over 90kg. The animal was subsequently used to prepare various dishes, and the vlogger even complimented the beauty of its skin.
Many netizens expressed their disapproval of the video, regarding the killing and public butchering of the alligator as gratuitous acts aimed at gaining attention and followers.
In response to the backlash, the vlogger attempted to defend her actions by claiming that the alligator featured in the video was artificially bred for the sole purpose of producing leather products. She drew a comparison between the alligator’s fate and that of luxury alligator handbags.
“These (artificially) bred alligators are raised specifically for leather and handbag companies. This is their mission. Would you say no to a Hermes alligator bag? We should be more rational,” she argued.
However, her explanation did little to quell the criticism, with many questioning the ethics of such ruthless animal killing and whether it contravened the law.
The video-sharing platform itself has also faced criticism for permitting the video to be posted and shared.
