Snakes Are Peeled Alive Here After Being Filled With Water, All In The Name Of Fashion – News18

Last Updated:May 07, 2025, 15:31 is

In a small village called Kapetakan in Java, Indonesia, snakes aren’t killed out of fear, they’re slaughtered to make shiny handbags, shoes, and belts

Every year, thousands of people in India lose their lives to snake bites. It’s no surprise then that just the sight of a snake, especially something as deadly as a cobra, can cause panic. Most people react by running away or trying to kill the snake out of fear. But imagine a place where the roles are reversed—where people don’t fear snakes, but snakes are the ones begging for their lives.

In a small village called Kapetakan in Java, Indonesia, snakes aren’t killed out of fear, they’re slaughtered for fashion. Here, snakes are caught, tortured, and killed to make shiny handbags, shoes, and belts. The reality behind these luxury items is far more disturbing than most people realise.

Recently, disturbing images from this place have gone viral on social media. Upon investigation, it was found that they belong to the slaughterhouse of Boss Cobra, also known as Wakira. His factory first caught global attention in 2013. At his facility, snakes are brutally killed and their skins are used to make bags, shoes, wallets, and belts. These items are sold cheaply in Indonesia but fetch sky-high prices, up to Rs 33 lakh, in Europe and the United States. The cruel reality behind this luxury is hard to stomach.

According to media reports, around 10 people work in Wakira’s factory, earning a combined monthly income of Rs 13 lakh. In this factory, dangerous snakes like cobras writhe in pain as their skins are removed in seconds. These skins are then sent to other parts of Java for further processing.

In Comal District of Central Java, skilled artisans turn these snake skins into fashion products. Their shine catches everyone’s eye, but few know the cruelty behind it. The process is barbaric: the snake’s head is hit to knock it out, then a pipe is inserted into its mouth and filled with water to inflate its body. A leather rope is tied around its neck to keep the water in. After about 10 minutes, the snake is hung on a meat hook, and its skin is peeled off like a glove. Many snakes remain alive during this ordeal and die slowly—sometimes after days—from trauma or dehydration.

The peeled skins are dried on wooden boards, either in hot ovens or under the sun, and then shaped and sent to tanneries. But the cruelty does not end with the skin.

Alongside luxury handbags and belts, snake meat is also in high demand here. Some people eat it, while others use it for medicinal purposes. In Indonesia, it is believed that snake meat can cure skin diseases, asthma, and even boost male potency. So, both the skin and meat of these snakes bring in profit. But it raises a serious question about animal cruelty.

First Published: