At 35, crocodile bank offers Rs 25L research grant

CHENNAI: As part of its 35th year celebrations, the Madras Crocodile Bank has announced an annual grant of Rs 25 lakh to encourage research on reptiles.
Crocodile Bank Trust and the Centre for Herpetology director Colin Stevenson said the grant is aimed at attracting long-term projects and new researchers on herpetology, the study of reptiles and amphibians.
"A special research advisory board has been established to oversee the scheme and to promote research programmes in the Crocodile Bank and its associated research centers, including the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Environmental Team (ANET) and the Agumbe Rainforest Research Station (ARRS)," Stevenson said.
As part of the celebrations, Crocodile Bank will organize special feeding demonstrations for visitors.
"Our large saltwater crocodile, Jaws 3, will be fed before visitors. Measuring 17 feet, Jaws is the largest crocodile in captivity in India," said Stevenson.
As part of the celebrations, visitors will get a chance to interact with experts and staff members of Crocodile Bank to learn more about the exciting history and life cycle of the reptile.
Crocodile Bank, the largest reptile park in India, was started in 1976 by famous herpetologist Romulus Whitaker with 30 adult muggers. It has bred over 5,000 animals and is home to over 2,400 crocodilians of 14 different species. It preserves a natural landscape for crocodiles. It also offers a choice for crocodile lovers to adopt one of the park’s animals by contributing towards the animal’s care and feeding for a year.