ABOUT CRC
The Crocodile Research Coalition (CRC) is a Belize-based nonprofit, established in January 2016, that seeks to preserve crocodiles and their environments throughout Central America and the Caribbean to ensure the long-term sustainability of biodiversity in the region. We believe the success of our conservation efforts parallels the involvement and support from local communities, thus we are continuously working alongside with local communities and partner organizations to empower people with the knowledge of co-existence and sustainable practices to ensure the survival of crocodiles and well-being of the communities that live beside them. Our outreach also incorporates working with the local and national governments, utilizing our research to better inform policy decisions regarding wildlife and their habitat (= translational ecology).
Although crocodiles are our flagship species in pursuing regional conservation efforts, the CRC recognizes that the conservation success of crocodiles is not only dependent on direct conservation efforts of the focal species, but also understanding how crocodiles interact with its environment and other wildlife as thriving and long-lasting conservation management is dependent on preserving the integrity of ecological interactions. Thus, through our research center in southern Belize, we facilitate research projects investigating crocodiles, as well as the surrounding flora and fauna.
The CRC is currently accruing further funding to build a state-of-the-art research facility on the Placencia Peninsula, however we do have the space and lodging to accommodate interested researchers and small academic groups nationally and internationally who wish to pursue wildlife and conservation research.
FOUNDER
Dr. Marisa Tellez
At an age when most girls were playing with dolls, Dr. Marisa Tellez was developing knowledge of the world’s top predators as she knew at a young age she wanted to be an advocate and leader in the conservation of the world’s apex predators, particularly crocodiles. Books, television, and local wildlife facilities were the only outlets for her to “experience” crocodiles given she was growing up in the suburbs of Los Angeles, California. After receiving a BA in Cultural Anthropology and a BS in Zoology from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2005, Marisa finally got her hands-on experience with crocodilians at the Eco-station in Culver City, California, and soon after began working at the Los Angeles Zoo. It was working at the zoo that she realized she wanted to head back to school and truly pursue scientific research with crocodilians, particularly investigating their interaction with parasites.
Marisa received a Master’s (2010) and PhD (2014) from the University of California, Los Angeles studying the interaction between parasites and crocodilians, publishing a book and various scientific publications. Her work, knowledge and passion for crocodile conservation was quickly acknowledged by the International Union for Conservation of Nature/Species Survival Commission-Crocodile Specialist Group (CSG), and was soon initiated into the CSG, as well as appointed as the Vice Regional Chair of Latin America for the CSG for her fieldwork in Guatemala, Mexico and Belize which began in 2008.
After receiving a National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship through the United States government to research the health and biodiversity of crocodilian habitat in Belize, Marisa soon called Belize home. Observing the difference her research and outreach was making in the local communities, Marisa co-founded the Crocodile Research Coalition (CRC) to further promote crocodile research and community involvement to assist in the conservation of crocodilians and their habitat.
TEAM MEMBERS
Jonathan Trminio
As part of his Bachelor’s Program, Jonathan had the great honor to carry out his Internship with the Crocodile Research Coalition which significantly helped him further his career in wildlife conservation. Since then Jonathan has volunteered his time and has been heavily involved in research and outreach with the CRC. As part of his Bachelor’s Program, Jonathan had the great honor to carry out his Internship with the Crocodile Research Coalition in the summer of 2018, which significantly helped him further his career in wildlife conservation. Jonathan continued to volunteer his time with the CRC as a Community Researcher being heavily involved in research and outreach with the CRC until officially joining the CRC team in January 2020.
Darcy Uclez
Jane Champion
COMMUNITY RESEARCHERS
Kerri Zuniga
Preston Moguel
Preston is part of the CRC's Next Gen Croc program that mentors students who have a passion for science and conservation. To learn more about Next Gen Croc, follow the link: https://ipm.644.myftpupload.com/next-gn-croc-fostering-the-next-generation-of-environmental-leaders/
Erica Holding
RESEARCH ASSOCIATES
Miriam Boucher
Matt Sparks
Helen Sung
Flavio Morrissiey
Recently the techniques have been applied to American Crocodiles and Morelets Crocodiles in Belize. Using negative reinforcement and aversive stimuli. In the case studies thus far the program seems to work with problematic crocodiles that pose a threat to human populations. At the same time these techniques are designed to teach crocodiles to avoid humans and their dangerous motives as well.
Shawn Heflick
His field and captive work has allowed him to work with all but a few of the world's crocodylian species. His passion is conservation and educating people about the amazing intelligence of crocodylians, their importance in their associated ecosystems, and how it is possible to coexist with these amazing apex predators. Shawn continues to assist the CRC in husbandry practices and field techniques.
David Hilmy
Karl Kohman
Gatorland Global Crocodile Tooth Surgery in Belize⁉️
Hey y’all! It’s finally done! The Belize video from our last Gatorland Global conservation trip is up and what an wonderful emotional video this one is! We saw and did so much from Jaguars to Tapir, to tooth surgeries and health checks, including Rose from The Belize Zoo to have her first check-up performed by a team of croc experts- this video has it all!!! And you get to see how just by watching this channel you’re helping alligators and crocodiles around the world! I really hope you love it! I cried while I was editing it.
CRC Talks Croc with Adam Talks Wild!
What research and outreach does the CRC conduct? What are some of the biggest threats towards crocs conservation in Belize & internationally? How does the infamous Mesoamerican Slider known as Mad Max keeps CRC staff on their toes? What are some interesting facts about croc anatomy and biology? What challenges has CRC Executive Director Dr. Marisa Tellez faced as a female scientist? Check out this following interview with Adam Talks Wild on Instagram Live.
Part 1
Who is the CRC? What are the biggest threats towards croc conservation? Find out and learn more about croc conservation in Belize, in addition to the rising White Walker crocs found in Northern Belize.
Part 2
Why should we save crocodiles? Are they important to the environment? Should we save crocs to save a piece of our culture? Find out in Part 2 of Adam Talks Wild with CRC.
Part 3
Learn more about the CRC mentor apprenticeship program and other opportunities to work alongside with the CRC, would a jaguar attack people while camping? What are some of the fav experiences of a CRC intern? Learn how Mad Max the Mesoamerican Turtle scares the CRC staff as well as why CRC Croc Ambassadors finally split up after 30 years!
Part 4
What is CRC’s Executive Director background? How did she get into studying parasitology in crocodilians? What are some interesting croc facts about croc anatomy and biology?
Part 5
As we end our interview, CRC gets asked, what's our favorite animal? And how has Dr. Marisa Tellez tried to overcome barriers as a female scientist in a male-dominated field.
US-born Marisa Tellez has always been fascinated by crocodiles, and is a leading researcher on the animals in Belize. She wants to spread the message that crocodiles are not monsters but vulnerable creatures deserving of protection.
News Link - https://www.dw.com/en/belize-lobbying-for-crocodiles/av-52296143
In this episode, I sit-down with the co-founder of the Crocodile Research Coalition (CRC), Dr. Marisa Tellez. Based in Belize, Marisa founded the CRC to help change the perception of crocodiles in Belize and help conserve them. Marisa talks about the two species of crocodile found in Belize, the American and Morelet’s Crocodile. She talks about her conservation work, close calls, crocodile cannibalism, and why we all need to learn to LOVE crocodiles!
In the PATRON-ONLY after show, she talks about a crocodile found in a toilet AND how to escape a crocodile attack!