Wool

The wool industry is the large-scale breeding, confinement, and management of animals for the repeated extraction of fibre grown from their bodies. It operates as a material production system in which animals are selectively bred to produce continuous or excessive fleece growth, requiring regular shearing and ongoing human intervention.

While practices vary by species, geography, and production scale, the underlying structure remains consistent: animals are biologically engineered and controlled to maximise fibre yield, with productivity prioritised over lifespan, bodily integrity, and natural behaviour.

See it by species

This index includes species that are bred, confined, and exploited for fibre production within organised wool and animal-hair industries, regardless of scale, geography, or cultural framing.

  • Alpacas

    Scope This record documents how alpacas are exploited within globally…

    Open

  • Angora Rabbit

    Scope This record documents how Angora rabbits are exploited within…

    Open

  • Camels

    Scope This record documents how camels are exploited within globally…

    Open

  • Goats

    Scope This record documents how goats are exploited within globally…

    Open

  • Goats (Cashmere, Mohair)

    Scope This record documents how goats bred for fibre—primarily cashmere…

    Open

  • Llamas

    Scope This record documents how llamas are exploited within globally…

    Open

  • Sheep

    Scope This record documents how sheep are exploited within globally…

    Open

Notice an inaccuracy or omission?

If you believe information on this page is incorrect, incomplete, or missing important context, you may submit a suggested correction for review.

Correction Form