The
Madras Crocodile Bank Trust, founded
in 1976 by Romulus Whitaker and
few other like minded people is
a public Trust managed by a Board
of Trustees. The CrocBank is located
40 km south of Chennai city on 3.2 hectares along India’s east
coast road with the Bay of Bengal as a backdrop. The high aquifer on the sandy
coast provides sufficient water
supply and the proximity to the
major ancient temple complex and
tourist destination at Mahabalipuram
ensures annual visitation. The Bank
was initially established for the
conservation and study of Indias
three endangered crocodilians: the mugger, Crocodylus
paluster, the gharial, Gavialis gangeticus,
and the saltwater crocodile, Crocodylus
porosus.
Starting
with 30 mugger adults, the Bank has bred
over 5000 and now holds over 2400
crocodilians of 14 different species.
By 1987 the CrocBank developed a
much broader focus, and became the
Center for Herpetology, Indias premier
institution for herpetofaunal conservation,
research and education. Currently besides crocodilians, the
Bank maintains 12 endangered species
of turtles and tortoises, five species
of snakes, including the King Cobra,
Ophiophagus hannah, water monitor
lizards, Varanus salvator salvator,
two species of pythons and albino cobras. Housed in enclosures very similar to their natural habitat visitors can get a close view of how these reptiles live in the wild.
(Stock of reptiles at the CrocBank)
Over the years, the CrocBank has supplied zoos with crocodiles, crocodile eggs, snakes, water monitor lizards, iguanas for breeding programs and for exhibits. In doing so, it has helped ensure that populations in the wild are not utilized for this purpose and remain unaffected. Surplus reptiles at the CrocBank are available for transfer and exchange. In case a recognized institution wishes to acquire any reptiles please feel free to write to us at mcbtindia@vsnl.net.
(Surplus list) |
Visitors
to the CrocBank include school and
college groups, local and foreign
tourists, besides amateur and
professional herpetologists from within
India and overseas. Apart from the
entertainment value, the signboards
and other visual aids sensitize people
to the importance of reptiles in their
ecosystems. School and college groups
receive special talks and demonstrations
including the chance to cuddle a baby
crocodile or our amiable pythons. |
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