According to local media, the organisation that regulates global wildlife trade, CITES, has given four exporters in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, permission to transport 34,850 crocodiles overseas this year.

The city is reported to contain 78,534 crocodiles spread over 35 crocodile raising farms, but only four farms in Vietnam are licensed by CITES to breed crocodiles.

Unlicensed breeders have been encouraged to apply for CITES licences as without them trade is limited to domestic markets. CITES regulations require licensed breeders to prove that their crocodiles are second generation, and that each animal is registered by the governing body.

Both crocodile meat and items made from crocodile leather, for example belts, are high in value, with the highest demand coming from Europe and Japan.