Possum Is the New Leather?

We're all pretty familiar with the traditional fur debate. We've got Pam Anderson and PETA on one side of the fence and on the other America's elite who don't see too much wrong with killing animals for their fur, and then wearing it. Perhaps, though, you are not familiar with the eco-friendly fur debate. Oh yeah, this is a new one.

Leave it to my home of Portland, Ore., to try to pull this one off. Entrepreneur Chrys Hutchings has started a company called Eco-Luxury Fur, featuring the fur of New Zealand's most pesky pests--the brushtail possum.

That's right; eco-friendly fur is now possum fur. You can purchase a possum-fur throw, ribbed scarf or pillow.

But wait, I'm confused, how is killing a possum eco-friendly?

Apparently, New Zealand is plagued with these possums, otherwise known as paihamus, and they're the leading threat to the country's native birds, forest plants and other species. There are no possum predators in New Zealand, so the animal has overrun the area, with more than 99 percent of the country inhabited by possums.

So, basically, by purchasing a possum-fur throw you're saving New Zealand's kiwi bird and other species that are otherwise being destroyed by the ravenous possums. Still doesn't feel right? Well, you might want to consider that the possums are killed in a more "humane" way (wait is that an oxymoron?!), by being poisoned with potassium cyanide, which allegedly kills more quickly. Oh, what a relief.

All of my judgment aside, though, one fact remains: the possum products are actually really beautiful. I know it doesn't seem possible, right? Check out the Web site and see for yourself.

But, even with the possum-mania in New Zealand, can we ever call killing animals eco-friendly? Do retailers really want to take that on? Looks like they might. According to a recent article in The Seattle Times, Hutchings is in talks to sign with some major retailers.

Enough about what I think--what are your thoughts about eco-friendly possum fur? Would you buy it, feature it in your store and/or wear it? Tell us about it here!

--Heather Strang

Comments

[Lianne]

Thanks for the shout-out! While overpopulation and alien species can be a big problem, killing a creature and wearing its skin should never be the solution, and is certainly not "eco-friendly". Visit www.FurIsDead.com to find out about the real fur industry.

[Chrys]

Thanks for commenting on this issue. I am the owner of Eco-Luxury Fur. As indicated above, this is a serious ecological issue and the only other alternative (poison 1080) is inhumane to the paihamu and every other animal it kills (dropped aerially) and has been banned on US federal lands since 1972. The "greenies" in New Zealand are on the side of markteting this fur. The scarves and such are fur spun with wool to make a washable near cashmere sweater fabric that is softer, warmer and lighter than plain fur. Also, this is a very different animal than the "possum" you may be picturing. It is a completely different species and looks quite different in the face and tail--plus the fur is wholly different in color, texture and quality. Paihamu is a true fur--3rd warmest in the world--behind arctic fox and polar bear. These are collected from the wild humanely (illegal to farm) and each product is minimimally processed and 100% sourced and manufactured in New Zealand.

Yes, it is an animal, but if the animal is going to be killed anyway, doesn't it make sense to kill it humanely and utilize it for local employment and industry in New Zealand? It can't be better to make a petroleum based/toxic dye fleece or faux fur that will never biodegrade. If one uses no animal products whatsoever, I fully respect that. But if one wears leather, consumes eggs, meat, sleeps under a down throw, etc., this is something to consider. And with the holidays coming up, consider buying this very practical and eco-friendly gift. The best source of leather, fur or fiber is an animal whose destructive existence necessitates humane abatement.