CROCODILE RESEARCH COALITION
Mission Statement
A nonprofit organization devoted to promoting conservation of crocodiles and their habitats throughout Central America through community involvement, research, and education.
JOIN THE TEAM
The Crocodile Research Coalition accepts interns, volunteers, and research associates year-round to assist in our crocodile population surveys, biodiversity monitoring, and educational outreach events.
DONATE
“You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.“ - Jane Goodall
Be a part of the CRC mission - make a difference and donate today!
ADOPT-A-CROC
By adopting one of our captive or rehabilitated crocs, you provide the support needed to home and provide the necessary veterinary and husbandry care for crocs and other wildlife that come through our wildlife triage and rehabilitation program within the Crocodile Research Coalition.
AEMON
Maester Aemon (for you Game of Thrones fans, you’ll know why we named him Aemon!), came under CRC's rehab after being rescued from Corozal District in November 2018. He was found emaciated and had severe damage to his eyes from a hard blow/machete chop to the head. Given his behavior and reaction during target training sessions, Aemon is completely blind in his right eye and has poor eyesight in his left eye (possibly distinguishing between light and darkness). This trauma likely led to Aemon's emaciation as crocs use part of their vision for successful hunting despite other sensory organs that allow them to hunt. Under CRC 24/7 care, Aemon has gained weight and is responding well to his target training sessions, overcoming his fear of certain sounds that likely connect to the trauma that caused his blindness.
Aemon has now taken on the important role as CRC’s Croc Ambassador, educating people about the truth of crocodiles, squashing false beliefs and misguided information. Aemon, along with other CRC rehabbed crocs, could use your support. Adopt-A-Croc and your donation will go towards food, enclosure upkeep, and veterinary care for Aemon and other crocs under our wildlife rehabilitation program. Sponsor $120US or more and get monthly updates of Aemon!
FOSTER CROC
GILLY
In March 2019, CRC became the caretakers of 2 Morelet’s crocs and a Mesoamerican turtle that were originally permitted to a couple by the Belize Forest Department and were under their care for about 30 years. No longer to care for the mating pair, CRC was asked to “adopt” the animals to become part of our Croc Ambassador program. The full story of Gilly, Sam and the infamous turtle known as Mad Max can be found here.
In 2021, Gilly unfortunately lost his friends Sam and Mad Max. Mad Max was about 43 years old when she came to the CRC and Mesoamerican sliders live up to 45 years in captivity. Mad Max is now enjoying her time in Valhalla. Sam unfortunately finally succumbed to battling a decade long osteomyelitis infection in her mouth despite all the efforts of the CRC in getting her veterinary care. Despite the loss, Gilly is doing well and continuing the mission of the trio- utilizing their unique history and friendship educating people about the truth of wildlife, squashing false beliefs and misguided information that can hinder coexistence with nature.
Help Gilly with his mission of furthering co-existence by participating in our Adopt-A-Croc program. Your donation will go towards food, enclosure upkeep, and veterinary care for Gilly. Sponsor Gilly for a year and receive monthly updates!
A Load of Shush: Crossing Borders For Croc Conservation
This month’s A Load of Shush is written by CRC intern Xaviessa Molina from Belize City whose 1 month internship included attending the IUCN/SSC-Crocodile Specialist Group International Working Meeting in Chetumal, Mexico, July 2022. I’ve always been taught to seek out adventures and to never back down from a challenge. When I asked my dad…
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Who touched the thermostat?!
This month’s A Load of Croc is written by CRC Research Associate Everett Madsen who is assisting CRC in our nest ecology surveys. Here at the CRC, we are always looking for ways to better our understanding of crocodilian ecology within Belize. Our nocturnal eyeshine, mark-recapture, and nest surveys tell us a lot about the…
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Pet Stores In America Continue To Sell Crocodiles
Article written by Megan Watson 1.8 million households have a reptile in their house, kept as a pet. Reptiles can be fascinating pets, and many different species will thrive if kept in the right conditions, but they are very different from keeping a domesticated cat or dog. Even if a reptile has been bred in captivity,…
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A Load of Croc: CROCtober 2021
This month’s A Load of Croc is written by Program Coordinator Darcy Uclez CROCtober“ GWEN BAK TU WI ROOTS ” Living in a diverse country with various indigenous roots, colonialism has faded a lot of our ancestral traditions. We no longer see the cultural attire being worn, languages being spoken, or hearing the amazing wildlife…
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A Load of Croc: so you want to be a croc scientist?
This month’s A Load of Croc is a testimonial written by CRC intern Gary Moscarelli about his 2-month experience of research and community outreach in Belize. My time as an intern at the CRC was a life changing experience. The skills that I learned as ascientist working in the field were absolutely priceless and allowed…
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A Load of Croc: My time at the CRC…unBELIZEable, eh!
This month’s A Load of Croc is a summary of the experience Sarah Patterson from Canada had 6 weeks during her mentor apprenticeship with the CRC. My time at the Crocodile Research Coalition was absolutely life-changing and personally life-affirming. I always knew my life would lead me to a place like Belize and into a career…
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The Latest Shush: May 2021 Edition
In this month’s The Latest Shush, Community Ecology Intern Ellie Coleman summarizes the excitement, the shyness and the sassiness of the CRC Crocodile Ambassadors. In the last few months, the CRC Crocodile Ambassadors, Gilly and Sam, have really become settled in their new home. Landscaping works have been carried out to provide shelter and black…
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A Load of Croc: Betta Belize Kathleen had a Good Time!
This month’s A Load of Croc is written by long-term volunteer Kathleen Hasler who gives a nice summary of how she sank her teeth into conservation with the CRC! I had spoken to Marisa throughout the end of 2020, as I was helping her with her research on Patterns of Paratrichosoma infection in Belizean crocodiles.…
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CRC Wildlife Ambassador’s Latest Shush: March Madness Edition
This month’s Latest Shush is provided by current CRC interns and volunteers as they have had a lot of interaction with CRC Wildlife Ambassadors Gilly, Sam and Mad Max as they have camped out on the CRC land for day and night observations. Here is what they have experienced…. Community Ecology Intern Ellie:This month has…
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A Load of Croc: Finding my feet
This month’s A Load of Croc is written by Community Ecology Intern Ellie Coleman, and her 1st month experience interning with the CRC. I arrived to start my role as a Community Ecology Intern in early December, leaving behind the cold North East of England for the far warmer weather of Belize and for a…
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