PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a thermophilic protein-degrading bacterium degrading proteins at a temperature melting animal oils and fats and a method for degrading organic wastes with which the proteins can efficiently be degraded at the temperature for melting the animal oils and fats. SOLUTION: The thermophilic protein-degrading bacterium belongs to the genus Bacillus and degrades the proteins at≥50°C. A Bacillus stearothermophilus No.13 strain which is the thermophilic protein-degrading bacterium is separated and identified. Azocasein is efficiently degraded at 50-70°C with the strain. COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO