In an unprecedented move that caught the attention of environmentalists and animal rights activists such as Jane Goodall and Ian Redmond, The World Civet Project launched the first World Civet Day todayApr 4, 2024. This groundbreaking initiative aims to raise awareness of the controversial production of Civet coffee, also known as Kopi Luwak, and the significant impact it has on small cat-like animals called Civets in Asia.
What are Civets?
Muskrats are cute, shy and lonely. We’ve had the privilege of seeing them on night safaris in places like Borneo and seen first hand how elusive they are. They have beautiful, spotted fur and large ears that pop up curiously when a light shines their way.
Civets live lives that play an important role in their ecosystem. Their diet is omnivorous, consisting of fruits, berries, insects and small vertebrates, making them vital for seed dispersal and controlling insect populations.
Unfortunately, the demand for brown nutmeg has significantly disrupted the natural behaviors and habitats of nutmegs. Wild nutmegs are captured by harsh methods such as trapping and snaring. They are then placed in cages and put on display for tourists to take pictures with. It is time to put an end to this.
The most expensive coffee in the world has a price
Civet Coffee is known as the most expensive coffee in the world, with prices reaching $100 per cup in some markets. The unique coffee production process involves the Asian Palm Civet, a creature native to the forests of South and Southeast Asia. Civets eat the ripest coffee cherries and after they pass through their digestive system, the beans are picked up in their feces. Kopi Luwak enthusiasts prize it for its purported enhanced flavor profile, which is said to result from the natural fermentation process that occurs in the civet’s gut.
Civet Coffee from Rare to Reckless
What was once a rare and naturally occurring process has turned into a profitable business exploiting Civets. Investigations and reports have revealed that many Civet farms engage in inhumane practices, keeping the animals in cramped, unsanitary cages and forcing them to consume a diet consisting entirely of coffee cherries. This unnatural confinement and diet leads not only to inhumane suffering but also to significant health problems for Civets, including malnutrition, stress and drastically reduced lifespan.
Unfortunately, tourists support Civet Coffee production without knowing what is going on. It doesn’t help that TripAdvisor has attractions encouraging visitors to visit Civet Farms. That’s why Jess Hooper, founder of the Civet Project, started a petition to encourage TripAdvisor to issue animal welfare warnings on all Civet Coffee attractions. Sign the petition here. They do not follow their own animal welfare policies. And just as we all came together to work to end elephant rides and swimming with dolphins, it’s time to put an end to Civet coffee production.
World Civet Day seeks to bring these issues to the forefront of public consciousness. The day is not only a call to action to conserve Civets and their natural habitats, but also a call for ethical consumerism. Organizers of World Civet Day support ending the use of caged civets in coffee production and encourage the coffee industry and consumers to support sustainable and ethical practices.
World Civet Day
The establishment of World Civet Day represents a critical step towards addressing animal cruelty and promoting sustainable practices in the coffee industry. It reminds consumers that their choices can profoundly affect wildlife and the environment.
Do we really need to drink coffee that comes from cat pooh? Instead, let’s encourage the ultra-rich to choose ethically sourced coffee to ensure that the luxury of enjoying a cup of coffee doesn’t come at the expense of animal welfare.
As the world gathers to mark the inaugural World Civet Day, the message is clear: it’s time to rethink our relationship with coffee and the creatures that help produce it. Through awareness, education and action, we can help end the abuse of Civets and pave the way for a more ethical and sustainable coffee industry.
World Civet Day, which will be launched for the first time on April 4, 2024, will raise awareness of the civet species. Visit the Civet Project website for more details. You can also find them at Facebook, Instagramand LinkedIn.