7am Part 2: Crocodiles, crimes and conservation claims
Aug 18, 2025
Katherine Wilson, an award-winning journalist known for her deep dives into the Australian crocodile skin industry, shares shocking revelations about the industry's claims of conservation. She discusses the ethical dilemmas faced after a leading scientist's criminal past shook the foundations of crocodile farming. The conversation exposes the tension between economic ambitions and environmental protection, alongside troubling secrets that keep industry workers silent. Prepare for a gripping exploration of animal welfare and the controversial realities of an otherwise glamorous trade.
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Ranching Framed As Conservation
- Queensland introduced a law allowing licensed foraging of wild crocodile eggs to supply factory farms.
- Scientists Webb and Britton publicly argued egg extraction had minimal impact and could aid conservation.
Scientists As Celebrity Advocates
- Adam Britton and Graham Webb were prominent crocodile scientists who ran media businesses and consulted publicly.
- Britton featured in National Geographic and worked on DNA sampling and public outreach in Darwin.
Crimes That Shattered Credibility
- Police found Britton abused and killed dogs, filmed torture, and fed remains to crocodiles in a shipping container torture room.
- He was convicted on 56 charges and jailed for 10 years for bestiality, animal cruelty and child pornography.