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.
RICK
On October 29, 2017, CRC received a call from Placencia Police at 5 am stating that they have an injured, ill crocodile. Meet Rick (named after the tv show Rick and Morty), a Morelet's (hybrid) crocodile that showed the signs of being someone's pet via his habituation to humans and poor physical state - Rick was partially blind and had a curved spine due to improper nutrition and being kept in a small enclosure. Although we rehabbed Rick back to health, he could not be released back into the wild due to his chronic physical ailments and habituation to humans.
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 CROCS
GILLY, SAM & MAD MAX
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.
Given the docile nature of Gilly and Sam, in addition to their hilarious relationship with Mad Max, this unique trio are 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. Along with other CRC rehabbed crocs, Gilly, Sam, and Mad Max could use your support. Adopt-A-Croc and your donation will go towards food, enclosure upkeep, and veterinary care for Gilly, Sam and Mad Max and other crocs under our wildlife rehabilitation program. Sponsor $240US or more and get monthly updates of CRC crocs!
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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CRC Ambassadors Latest Shush: The Night’s Watch
Aemon shows he’s been working to be on the Good List this year for Christmas; Gilly and Sam still adjust to their new home; and Mad Max… well she’s back to her normal shenanigans! Gilly and Sam: Despite being in their new home for the last several weeks, Gilly and Sam are still illustrating a…
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A Load of Croc: Crikey!
It was a few days after CRC relocated Crocodile Ambassadors Gilly and Sam, and the infamous turtle known as Mad Max from their previous home at the Savannah Guest House (SGH) to their new home with the CRC in southern Belize (for the full story, check out: https://crocodileresearchcoalition.org/2020/12/a-load-of-croc-special-edition-placencia-welcomes-gilly-sam-mad-max/). Carol Foster who had known these animals…
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A Load of Croc Special Edition: Placencia welcomes Gilly, Sam & Mad Max
This month’s A Load of Croc is written by CRC Co-Founder and Executive Director Dr. Marisa Tellez and discusses the story and move of the crocodiles Gilly and Sam, as well as the infamous turtle Mad Max to the new CRC facility. About 20 months ago I received an email from Founder of The Belize…
Read MoreCRC Croc Ambassadors’ Latest Shush: November 2020
Sam, Gilly & Mad MaxCRC has been preparing for the biggest move of this trio’s lifetime as they make a move to southern Belize and call the new CRC land and facility home. Since the beginning of October, CRC has been visiting the gang to train them to come up further on land so that…
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