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The Madras Crocodile Bank Trust
and Center for Herpetology is one of the largest reptile zoos
in the world and one of the oldest non-government environmental
organizations in Asia with a formidable track record in frontline
conservation.
Our primary aim is to promote the
conservation of reptiles and amphibians on the Indian subcontinent,
but our inference is multidisciplinary and extends worldwide.
The Madras Crocodile Bank Trust and
Centre for Herpetology (or Croc Bank) was the brain child of the
legendary Romulus Whitaker and a handful of like-minded conservation
visionaries who began work on the facility in 1976, in a desperate
effort to save India’s dwindling crocodilian populations. Today,
after more than 30 formidable years of cutting edge science and
grassroots education, the Croc Bank remains a world leader in the
field of frontline conservation and the preservation of natural
landscapes. The Croc Bank currently consists of a large reptile park
near Chennai, Southern India, and several field projects located
throughout the subcontinent reaching as far afield as the Nicobar
Islands. The zoo sees close to half a million visitors per year
making it one of the most popular tourist attractions along the
famous East Coast Road.
Chronology
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1976 - On 26th August 1976, The
Crocodile Bank Trust was opened.
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1989 - The Andaman and Nicobar
Environmental Team (ANET) base station is set up on 5 acres of land in
Wandoor, on the southern tip of South Andaman Island.
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1990s - Population of crocodiles
in the bank exceeds 8000 n number.
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2003 - A Ten year program for the
conservation of freshwater turtles and tortoises was initiated by the
Croc Bank in association with government Forest Departments from
concerned states across India.
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2003 - The Croc Bank is renamed
The Madras Crocodile Bank Trust and Centre for Herpetology with the
addition of turtles, lizards and snakes.
 
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2004 - The Croc Bank made history
in May 2004 when it successfully bred one of the world's most
critically endangered turtles, the Indian painted roof top turtle,
Batagur Kachuga for the first ever time in captivity.
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2005 - The Agumbe Rainforest
Research Station (ARRS) is set up for the express purpose of
conserving the hyper diverse animals and ecosystems that make up the
rainforests of the Western Ghats.
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2008 - The Gharial Conservation
Alliance (GCA) was set up to form a specialist organ dedicated to
saving gharials from extinction.
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2010 - In January 2010,
construction of brand new frontage and satellite facility is started.
This will be followed by the complete redesign and construction of the
main display area including new enclosures, walkways and interactive
features.
Conservation and Research
In line with our mission statement,
the Croc Bank believes that successful conservation is built on
sound scientific research and the two actions are tightly knit. To
this end, the Croc Bank has joined forces with many of the world’s
foremost experts and organizations in an effort to better achieve
these immense tasks. At the core of our ambitious operation is a
dedicated Scientific Committee made up of Indian and international
experts.
Education and Awareness
At the Croc Bank, we believe that
education is the ultimate key to long term sustainable conservation.
We devote a large part of our time and resources towards educating
people of all ages and backgrounds in the importance of conserving
reptiles and natural ecosystems. How do we know our education
program is working? One clear indication is that after thirty plus
years in action, many of India’s leading environmental proponents,
including top decision makers and corporate activists cite the Croc
Bank experience as an early turning point during their informative
years. Something that Team Croc Bank is very proud of!
Activities
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Jaws III - Jaws arrived at Croc
Bank shortly after it opened in 1976 and for the first few years was
housed with his brothers and sisters in what was then a fairly
ordinary exhibit. However, when he started to outgrow his siblings in
a truly astonishing fashion, it soon became apparent that he was no
ordinary crocodile, but instead a genuine giant of freakish
proportions. True to form, Jaws has grown into a real Spielberg
monster, and cannot even be housed with other female crocs due to his
unusually savage disposition and devastating strength. Jaws now lives
alone in a large, fortified enclosure and visitors can watch him being
hand fed by his keepers every Sunday afternoon at 03:00 pm.
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Underwater Gharial Exhibit -
The only underwater crocodile exhibit in
India - Visitors get the
unique chance to see the magnificent gharial at its best; effortlessly
cruising around amongst a myriad of fish and freshwater turtles, in a
giant naturalistic aquarium.
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Feeding -
At the Croc Bank, we believe in
maintaining the natural instinct and behavior of our animals through
purpose designed activities. Such activities help to deepen our
understanding towards them whilst providing them with enrichment to
enhance the quality of their lives. Feeding demonstrations entail a
variety of feeding techniques generally intended to encourage our
larger, more sluggish crocodiles to actively ‘hunt down’ their food by
strategically offering them morsels of food. Relished by the
crocodiles and onlookers alike, this activity is a must. A special
treat is to watch Jaws III, the largest salt water crocodile in
captivity in India feeding every Sunday at 03:00 pm.
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Night Safari -
Night is when crocodiles really come to
life. The cool evening breeze coupled with the cover of darkness
encourages a secret side of crocodile behavior seldom witnessed during
daylight hours. Territorial disputes, breeding activity and general
high excitement around the ponds are highlights commonly experienced
on night safaris. All guests will be provided with torches and
escorted around the Croc Bank by trained guides. The first visual of
hundreds of glowing red eyes in the torch light never ceases to chill
the spine.
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Close Encounters - Young Reptiles -
The baby crocodiles, pythons
and turtles are our species ambassadors representing the thousands of
reptiles living at the Croc Bank. These animals are housed in special
exhibits at the Young Reptiles booth that enable up close encounters.
Our young ambassadors give visitors, and particularly children, the
unique experience of studying the design, texture and behavior of
reptiles in a more personal and interactive manner.
Plan Your Visit
The Madras Crocodile Bank Trust and
Centre for Herpetology is one of the largest reptile zoos in the
world. It is spread over eight and a half acres of land and is home
to over 2500 reptiles. We give you an opportunity to have an
interactive experience with the various denizens at the zoo. Apart
from our guided tours we have a wide variety of other activities for
all ages that are both informative and fun.
For outdoor nature enthusiasts, the
spacious Croc Bank grounds are covered by luxuriant coastal dune
forest and provide a haven for native wildlife, including large
breeding colonies of water birds and a secure nesting beach for
Olive Ridley Sea Turtles.
Contact Details
The Madras Crocodile Bank Trust and Centre
for Herpetology,
Post Bag No.4,
Mamallapuram - 603 104,
Tamil Nadu, S.India.
Accommodation in Tamil
Nadu
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