PETA Australia is calling on all retailers to leave alpaca wool behind after a PETA US investigation into large alpaca farm Mallkini has uncovered shocking practices.
Mallkini is the one of the world's largest privately owned alpaca farms in Peru and PETA's undercover investigation has revealed that workers have held down crying alpacas by the ears, as they were being roughly shorn with electric clippers, causing some to vomit out of fear.
According to PETA's investigation, "workers slammed the alpacas – some of whom were pregnant – onto tables, tied them to a medieval-looking restraining device, and pulled hard, nearly wrenching their legs out of their sockets."
"The quick, rough shearing left the animals cut up and bleeding from deep wounds, which were sewn up without adequate pain relief," the organisation said.
PETA Australia spokesperson Emily Rice said retailers should ban the use of alpaca wool in their collections.
"This investigation pulled back the curtain on violent shearing that leaves alpacas bleeding and crying out.
"We urge all retailers to protect these vulnerable animals by banning alpaca wool and are calling on consumers to leave these cruelly produced items on the rack," she said.
In response to the investigation, PETA said that Esprit is phasing out the use of the wool, while H&M and Gap Inc have cut ties with Mallkini's parent company the Michell Group.
PETA US is asking Peruvian authorities to investigate Mallkini for possible violations of the country's animal protection laws.
The Mallkini website states that the business ensures animal sustainability.
"The alpaca is shorn, not killed.
"Alpaca fibre is obtained once every twelve months, only during the shearing season.
"We thus safeguard the animal’s sustainability," the Mallkini website states.
Access the video of the investigation here.
Content warning: some viewers may find scenes in the video distressing.