These remarkable animals thrive in the arid conditions and extreme cold and heat that characterize the Central Asian steppes and Southwest African regions where they are produced. Karakul sheep provide a vital source of food and income for indigenous peoples in these extremely poor and remote regions. Because of limited pasture and water in Karakul producing regions, only a small number of lambs can be kept and raised to maturity. In Muslim areas, including Uzbekistan, slaughtering methods for animals used for food are also governed by strict religious principles that are intended to assure humane treatment of animals. While no one disputes that ewes are slaughtered when they are too old to be bred again, it is absurd to suggest that farmers would systematically kill valuable breeding stock just to obtain the pelts of unborn lambs.
Ewes provide many lambs through their productive years.
Video segments broadcast by Dateline in fact showed healthy, active animals being raised in well-managed livestock facilities run by people who are proud of their sheep. These animals provide sustenance for people living in some of the most remote and rugged regions on the planet. To its credit, Dateline also pointed out that the HSUS is against use of any animal products for fashion. This campaign appears be more about wealthy lobby groups seeking publicity than about helping either people or sheep. The US fur trade is a well-regulated industry committed to humane standards and based on the sustainable use of abundant, renewable natural resources.