Exposed: Baby ostrich birds slaughtered for Louis Vuitton luxury bags

Investigators have witnessed workers driving frightened ostriches into so-called stun boxes (boxes restricting freedom of movement before killing).

Many of the birds slipped and fell - and then their throats were slit open.

When the ostriches stumbled over a collapsed fellow, a plant director joked: "I'm now calling the responsible person from the animal welfare department.

These slaughterhouses deliver ostrich leathers to Hermès, Prada, Louis Vuitton, and other high-priced European luxury fashion houses. The feathers that are plucked from the skin of the ostrich birds, some of which are still fully conscious, are used in costumes for the Moulin Rouge in Paris or for the carnival in Rio in Brazil - and also in feather duster, feather boas and other accessories.