Crocodile-shock: Chinese food blogger’s reptilian recipe riles up social media storm

A social media storm has erupted over a Chinese food blogger, who boasts more than 3.5 million followers on Douyin (the Chinese version of TikTok). A short video was posted showing food blogger, Xiehe, preparing a crocodile as part of a home-cooked meal.

Although the clip achieved its aim of attracting viewers, it sparked massive backlash. A significant number of netizens expressed disappointment, arguing that publicly killing a crocodile is cruel animal treatment, merely to create eye-catching content and boost follower count.

The footage displayed a large crocodile, its snout bound with a rope in a bathroom, while Xiehe scrubbed its body with a large brush. The preparation process included graphic scenes of skinning, disembowelling, and deboning. The blogger then used her excellent technique to process the nearly 100-kilogramme reptile.

Following the weighty drama, Xiehe explained that the crocodile in the video was bred for its skin trade, hence it would have been killed eventually.

“These crocodiles are bred and raised for leather and handbag companies. This is their mission, would you reject a branded crocodile leather bag? Please, think reasonably.”

Nevertheless, her explanation did not quell the wave of anger. Many still believe that the brutal killing of animals is a violation of the law and should not be accepted. This is because, in China, crocodiles are under considerable protection and are one of the highly endangered species according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, reported Sanook.

According to China’s wildlife protection law, cooking crocodile meat without permission from officials is illegal. Thus, Xiehe’s actions could potentially lead to legal consequences.

In related news, a businessman in southern Thailand claims his secret to great health is drinking crocodile blood mixed with alcohol twice a day. He says he used to be exhausted but is now full of life after two months on the reptile juice. To read more click HERE