Madras Crocodile Bank Trust

Madras Crocodile Bank Trust
AbbreviationCrocBank[1]
Formation1976
TypeNGO
Legal statusNon profit public trust
PurposeHerpetofaunal conservation, research and education
HeadquartersChennai
Location
Region served
India
Official language
Tamil, English
Founder and director
Romulus Whitaker
Main organ
Board of Trustees
AffiliationsCentral Zoo Authority of India
IUCN Species Survival Commission
Staff49
Websitewww.madrascrocodilebank.org

12°44′38″N 80°14′24″E / 12.743875°N 80.240107°E / 12.743875; 80.240107

The Madras Crocodile Bank Trust and Centre for Herpetology (MCBT) is a reptile zoo and herpetology research station, located 40 km (25 mi) south of the city of Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. The centre is both a registered trust and a recognized zoo under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 and comes under the purview of the Central Zoo Authority, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India. The establishment is located on a 8.5 acres (3.4 ha) site covered by coastal sand forests, along the coast of Bay of Bengal.

The MCBT was established in 1976 with the primary aim of conservation of three Indian species of crocodiles — mugger crocodile, saltwater crocodile and gharial. It was expanded as a centre for herpetology and research of other reptile species in 2003. The centre has bred over 5000 crocodiles since its inception and is one of the largest reptile zoos in the world. As of 2024, the park had 15 species of crocodiles including three critically endangered species and 33 other reptilian species. The park recorded about 0.42 million annual visitors from April 2018 to March 2019.

The trust also runs three field stations at South Andaman, Agumbe in Karnataka, and the Chambal valley in Uttar Pradesh as well as a snake venom extraction centre. It is also involved in various research, conservation and educational projects.

History

[edit]
The trust was started to save Indian crocodiles including the pictured marsh crocodiles.

Towards the end of the 19th century, hunting of crocodiles for their skin began and by the 1960s, wild populations of the crocodiles were reducing.[2][3] Amongst the three Indian species, the mugger (Crocodylus palustris) had disappeared from most of its range, the gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) was critically endangered and saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) numbers were threatened.[3][4] The crocodile species were protected under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 by the Government of India.[5] The Crocodile Conservation Project was launched by the Indian government in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 1975, for the protection and captive breeding of crocodiles.[6][7][8] The Madras Crocodile Bank was conceived in 1973 and it was established on 26 August 1976 by herpetologist Romulus Whitaker with his wife Zai Whitaker and others.[9][10] The bank was started for the protection and breeding of Indian crocodile species.[11]

The bank is situated on the sandy coast, along the Bay of Bengal.

The Crocodile Bank later developed a captive breeding program for freshwater turtles and tortoises.[12][13] In the 1980s, the bank was established on the Moyar River to study the mugger crocodiles.[14] In 1990, the Andaman and Nicobar Environmental Team (ANET) was set-up as a division of the bank with a station established on a 5 acres (2.0 ha) stretch of land in Wandoor, on the southern tip of South Andaman in 1993.[15] The newsletter Hamadryad being published by the trust since 1976 was converted into a full scientific journal in 1991.[16] In 2003, the bank was renamed the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust and Center for Herpetology and additional exhibits of other reptiles were added.[17][18] The trust is also involved in research on snake venom and in 2005, the Agumbe Rainforest Research Station was established in Agumbe in Karnataka for the study of King Cobra and other diverse animals and ecosystems of the Western Ghats.[17][19] In 2005, Rom Whitaker was given a Whitley Award and used the money to assist in setting up the Agumbe station.[20][21]

In 2011, the Crocodile Bank announced plans for the construction of a new frontage and satellite facility, followed by the redesign and construction of the display area including new enclosures with glass facades, walkways and interactive features.[18] As per the new plan, estimated at ₹100 million (US$1.2 million), the park would be divided into four areas corresponding to various geographies with thematic landscaping, interactive displays and signage. The plan included a separate gharial exhibit, entry plaza with a café, parking areas and an interpretation centre that houses small crocodiles, snakes, turtles and lizards on the upper level and underwater viewing of the largest saltwater crocodile exhibit in the park, on the lower level.[22] In 2018, Whitaker was presented with Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award by the Government of India.[23] In 2020, the trust faced financial problems due to COVID-19 pandemic induced lockdown.[24][25] The trust raised funds through crowd funding to mitigate the situation and for further planned developments.[26]

Organisation

[edit]
The trust runs a reptile zoo; pictured is the map of the zoo.

The Madras Crocodile Bank Trust was established in 1976 which runs a reptile zoo and herpetology research station. The centre is both a registered trust and a recognized zoo under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 and comes under the purview of the Central Zoo Authority, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India.[27][28] The Crocodile Bank is situated on a 8.5 acres (3.4 ha) stretch of land, located about 40 km (25 mi) south of Chennai on the East Coast Road at Vadanemmeli near Thiruvidandhai, along the Bay of Bengal.[29][12][30]

The bank runs three field bases namely Andaman and Nicobar Environmental Team at South Andaman, Agumbe Rainforest Research Station at Agumbe and Gharial Ecology Project in Chambal valley.[12] The trust is affiliated with more than 47 institutions including The World Conservation Union (IUCN), World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Marine Conservation Society and Smithsonian Institution.[26] The trust manages a snake venom extraction center, operated by the Irula tribes.[31]

Wildlife conservation

[edit]

Animal research and education

[edit]
Public demonstration and education center at the park

The trust engages in research projects on reptiles and other educational programmes. The bank has served as a regional source of status information for the World Conservation Monitoring Centre and has hosted numerous international meetings of the IUCN Specialist Groups dealing with reptiles.[32] The trust publishes a biannual herpetology journal called Hamadryad and is home to the largest library of herpetological literature in India.[33] Research in the field of herpetology within the bank has resulted in over 600 scientific publications, books, reports, newspaper and magazine articles and films.[34]

The centre has hosted numerous local and international scientists and research specialists.[35] In the early 1980s, Edward Moll of Eastern Illinois University did a study on turtles in India based out of the bank.[36][35] The bank's research biologists have since studied freshwater turtles in the Chambal River in Uttar Pradesh on a WWF grant with many species kept in the park as part of the centre's ongoing research program.[37][38] The bank collaborated with J.W. Lang from University of North Dakota, to initiate a project for the study mugger crocodiles. The project was done in association with Romulus Whitaker and Harry Andrews and focused on reptile reproduction, egg incubation, and temperature-dependent sex determination.[39] In the 1990s, studies on breeding biology and growth of lizards was conducted.[40]

Veterinary laboratory at the park

In 2001, the Crocodile Bank was awarded the Ford Conservation and Environmental Grant for project "Integrated Environment Education", a multi-lingual programme on reptile preservation to create environmental awareness.[41] The Andaman and Nicobar Islands Environmental Team is focused on research and conservation of the bio-diversity in Andaman and Nicobar islands.[15] The park conducts research into snake venom and mitigation of its effects in humans. The Agumbe research centre aids in study of venomous snakes and other organisms in the Western Ghats.[17][19] The park conducts regular educational and outreach programmes.[42][43] The bank serves as a consultant on reptile management and conservation issues to multiple organisations and countries.[12][35] The bank also runs an animal-adoption programme under which patrons can sponsor an animal housed at the center.[44]

The Crocodile Bank has a veterinary care section which works with the maintenance staff to monitor the health and maintenance of the animals. Examination and treatment for various pathological and parasitical examinations are carried out on the animals. Unique identification numbers are assigned to individual animals with maintenance of health and medical records.[45] The trust also engages in training of veterinarians to help equip other research and conservation projects.[46]

Captive breeding

[edit]
The park has been breeding critically endangered gharials since 1989.

The trust was established for breeding crocodiles, has bred over 5000 crocodiles and is the largest breeding centre in India.[47] The park is one of the centres for breeding the critically endangered gharials and has been successfully breeding the species since 1989.[48][49][50] The park breeds other two species of crocodiles from India, mugger and salt-water crocodiles from 1983.[51] It has also been breeding other exotic crocodile species such as Morelet's crocodile (Crocodylus moreletii) and Siamese crocodile (Crocodylus siamensis).[52] In 2010, the bank also bred the rare false gharial, a species listed as endangered on the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).[53] The trust has been involved in re-introducing crocodiles to the wild and various zoo exchange programmes.[1] The government stopped the release of captive bred crocodiles into the wild in 1994, which led to the number of crocodiles increasing at the park. As no methods have been evolved to sterilize the crocodiles, the increasing numbers resulted in nearly one thousand animals being relocated to Gujarat in 2022.[29]

The bank also breeds turtles, snakes and other reptiles. It is a coordinating zoo of the Central Zoo Authority of India for the breeding programmes for endangered species, including rock python, king cobra and Ganges softshell turtle, as per the National Zoo Policy adopted by the Government of India in 1988.[54][52] It has been breeding cane turtle (Vijayachelys silvatica) and Travancore tortoise (Indotestudo travancorica) since the 1980s.[55] In May 2004, the bank successfully bred one of the world's most critically endangered turtles, the red-crowned roofed turtle (Batagur kachuga), for the first time ever in captivity.[56] Some of the turtles were sent to Uttar Pradesh to be introduced into the wild.[57][58] The trust has been involved in engaging local community and education for the conservation of olive ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea).[59] The Crocodile Bank is a nodal point for captive breeding of endangered pythons in the country, especially the Indian rock python (Python molurus) and reticulated python (Python reticulatus).[60]

The park is home to the few approved snake venom extraction centres in India, the Irula Snake Catchers' Industrial Cooperative Society, which also conducts venom extraction shows for the public at its snake farm.[61][62][63] The cooperative society was officially registered on 19 December 1978, and venom extraction was started on 16 December 1982.[64][65] Started with 26 members, the membership of the society rose to 350 by 2001.[66] As of 2022, it is the largest venom-producing center in India, contributing to 80% of the venom extracted.[67]

Exhibition

[edit]

The bank hosts one of the largest reptilian zoos in the world.[68][69][70] As of 2024, the park had 15 species of crocodiles including three critically endangered species and 33 other reptilian species.[71][72][73] The park is divided into four areas corresponding to various geographies namely, Asia, Americas, Amazon and Africa, with thematic landscaping and signage.[74] Apart from the crocodiles, there are various snakes including pythons, anacondas and boas, turtles and tortoises including Aldabra giant tortoises, lizards and piranhas.[74][75][76] Four Komodo dragons have been acquired from Bronx Zoo in New York.[77] The bank also functions as a natural shelter for a variety of birds, enabling bird-watching.[78] The bank also operates a night safari on weekends.[79][80]

Breakdown of exhibited species
Marsh crocodiles enclosure at the park
Information boards like this one provide detailed descriptions about the specimens on display
An Aldabra giant tortoise at the park
Close-up view of an underwater exhibit at the park
Shops selling reptile memorabilia within the zoo campus

Reptile stock at the Crocodile Bank as on 1 April 2011 is as follows:[81][82]

Common name (species) Total
Crocodilians
  Marsh or Mugger crocodile (Crocodylus palustris) 2115
  Saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) 12
  Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) 55
  Common caiman (Caiman crocodylus) 56
  Yacare caiman (Caiman yacare) 3
  Dwarf caiman (Paleosuchus palpebrosus) 13
  American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) 2
  Siamese crocodile (Crocodylus siamensis) 9
  Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) 7
  African slender-snouted crocodile (Mecistops cataphractus) 6
  Dwarf crocodile (Osteolaemus tetraspis) 3
  Morelet's crocodile (Crocodylus moreletti) 13
  False gharial (Tomistoma schlegelii) 2
  Freshwater crocodile (Crocodylus johnstoni) 1
  Total 2302
Freshwater turtles
  Indian softshell turtle (Nilssonia gangetica) 9
  Indian flapshell turtle (Lissemys punctata) 13
  Northern river terrapin (Batagur baska) 2
  Red-crowned roofed turtle (Batagur kachuga) 72
  Indian roofed turtle (Pangshura tecta) 2
  Indian roofed turtle (Pangshura tecta circumdata) 17
  Brahminy river turtle (Hardella thurjii) 2
  Indian star tortoise (Geochelone elegans) 8
  Travancore tortoise (Indotestudo travancorica) 23
  Aldabra giant tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea) 4
  Indian tent turtle or Pink Ringed Turtle (Pangshura tentoria) 1
  Total 152
Snakes
  Indian rock python (Python molurus) 26
  Reticulated python (Python reticulatus) 1
  Indian cobra (Albino) (Naja naja) 1
  Green anaconda (Eunectes murinus) 1
  Whitakers sand boa (Eryx whitakerii) 1
  Total 30
Lizards
  Northern caiman lizard (Dracena guanensis) 1
  Komodo Dragon[83] (Varanus komodoensis) 4
  Iguana 2
  Total 7
Total specimens 2491

Financials and patronage

[edit]
Office of the zoo manager

As of 2021-22, the trust declared revenues of ₹4.22 crore (US$510,000) against an expenditure of ₹5.26 crore (US$630,000). The trust gets about one-third of revenues from ticketing at the zoo with other income coming through research grants (23%), donations (12%), educational programmes (11%) among others. The trust spends 30% of the expenditure on wages followed by 23% for research. Other major costs include interest on capital and reptile feeding.[26] The park recorded about 0.42 million annual visitors from April 2018 to March 2019.[84] Post opening of the park after the Covid-induced lockdown, about 0.15 million visitors were recorded from September 2021 to March 2022 with an average monthly footfall of 21,400.[26]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Croc Bank". India biodiversity. Archived from the original on 18 May 2024. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  2. ^ "Crocodilians conservation". International Crocodilian. Archived from the original on 27 September 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  3. ^ a b Crocodiles, Proceedings of the First Working Meeting of Crocodile specialists (PDF). IUCN (Report). 15 March 1971. p. 42-45. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  4. ^ "Meet the three Indian crocodilians". Wildlife SOS. 17 June 2022. Archived from the original on 2 October 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  5. ^ Appendix, Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 (PDF) (Report). Government of India. p. 5. Archived (PDF) from the original on 22 July 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  6. ^ "Crocodile Conservation". Government of Odisha. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  7. ^ "Crocodile conservation project". Sytama Naturae. Archived from the original on 29 September 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  8. ^ D, Madhavan (16 June 2009). "26 fresh water crocodiles hatched at Vandalur zoo". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 18 May 2024. Retrieved 30 August 2023.
  9. ^ "Jaws III, the croc in captivity". The Hindu. 20 May 2011. Archived from the original on 18 May 2024. Retrieved 30 August 2023.
  10. ^ "About us". Madras Crocodile Bank Trust. Archived from the original on 31 March 2023. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
  11. ^ "History". Madras Crocodile Bank Trust. Archived from the original on 31 March 2023. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
  12. ^ a b c d "Madras Crocodile Bank Trust and Centre for Herpetology". Asian Species Action Partnership. 16 May 2018. Archived from the original on 8 December 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  13. ^ "Captive Breeding of Indian Turtles and Tortoises at the Centre for Herpetology/Madras Crocodile Bank". The New York Turtle and Tortoise Society. Archived from the original on 18 May 2024. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  14. ^ "How mugger crocodiles live in peace with humans along Moyar". The Hindu. 7 December 2023. Archived from the original on 7 December 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  15. ^ a b "Andaman and Nicobar Environmental Team" (PDF). Indian Ocean Turtle Newsletter. Archived (PDF) from the original on 3 December 2021. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  16. ^ Genevieve Gee; Indraneil Das (31 January 2005). "Cumulative Index to Hamadryad". Hamadryad. 29: 2. ISSN 0972-205X. Archived from the original on 17 February 2024. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  17. ^ a b c Annual Report 18-19 (PDF) (Report). Madras Crocodile Bank Trust. p. 2-3. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
  18. ^ a b "Diary notes at the Madras Crocodile Bank". The New Indian Express. 16 May 2012. Archived from the original on 18 May 2024. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  19. ^ a b Romulus Whitaker (2019). "Snakebite Mitigation Project of the Madras Crocodile Bank/Centre for Herpetology, India: background and a brief summary of activities". Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Oxford University. 113 (12): 818–819. doi:10.1093/trstmh/try130. PMID 30551144. Archived from the original on 18 May 2024. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  20. ^ "Our Winners". Whitley Fund for Nature. Archived from the original on 23 July 2011. Retrieved 9 July 2011.
  21. ^ "Speakers Romulus Whitaker: Herpetologist". TED Conferences, LLC. Archived from the original on 29 August 2011. Retrieved 30 August 2011.
  22. ^ Priya M., Menon (7 March 2013). "A home away from home". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 17 March 2013.
  23. ^ Sahgal, Bittu (December 2006). "Meet Rom Whitaker". Sanctuary Asia. Archived from the original on 29 September 2011. Retrieved 9 July 2011.
  24. ^ "Coronavirus lockdown worry: Madras Crocodile Bank worried 2000 animals could starve". The New Indian Express. 22 May 2020. Archived from the original on 21 August 2022. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  25. ^ "How India's largest crocodile bank in Chennai is battling Covid-19". The Indian Express. 17 October 2020. Archived from the original on 3 August 2021. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  26. ^ a b c d Annual Report 21-22 (PDF) (Report). Madras Crocodile Bank Trust. Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 May 2024. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
  27. ^ List of Zoos, whose Master Plan received till 31st March, 2011 (PDF) (Report). CZA. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 29 August 2011.
  28. ^ "Madras Crocodile Bank Trust, India". List of Zoos Worldwide. Archived from the original on 11 February 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2011.
  29. ^ a b "Chennai: Transfer of 1,000 India crocodiles raises thorny question". BBC News. 3 December 2022. Archived from the original on 28 September 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  30. ^ "At Vadanemmeli, a spot you go to for the crocs, stay on for the trees". The Hindu. 18 February 2024. Archived from the original on 18 May 2024. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  31. ^ "A day at the Crocodile Bank". The Hindu. 6 July 2016. Archived from the original on 18 May 2024. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  32. ^ Cocodrilos. International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources - Crocodile Specialist Group. 1986. p. 286.
  33. ^ "Glo-Wild at the Croc Bank". Glo-Wild. Archived from the original on 14 February 2012. Retrieved 24 September 2011.
  34. ^ "Wildlife week celebrations at Madras Crocodile Bank" (PDF). India PRwire. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
  35. ^ a b c Romulus Whitaker. Herpetology in India (Report). British Herpetological Society Bulletin. p. 19. Archived from the original on 17 January 2022. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  36. ^ Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles: An Action Plan for Their Conservation. IUCN/SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group. 1989. p. 33. ISBN 978-2-880-32974-7.
  37. ^ "Organisations". Sea Turtles of India. Archived from the original on 18 January 2011. Retrieved 24 September 2011.
  38. ^ "Captive Breeding of Indian Turtles and Tortoises at the Centre for Herpetology/Madras Crocodile Bank". Madras Crocodile Bank Trust. Archived from the original on 30 September 2011. Retrieved 24 September 2011.
  39. ^ Male Parental Care in Mugger Crocodiles (Report). National Geographic. 1986. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  40. ^ Siva Sundaresan; Ranjit Daniels (August 1994). "Distribution and Abundance of Common lizards". Bombay Natural History Society. 94: 268.
  41. ^ "Environmental grant for Crocodile Bank Trust". The Hindu. 21 November 2001. Archived from the original on 21 February 2011. Retrieved 24 September 2011.
  42. ^ Sakthivel Vaiyapuri and eight others (March 2023). "Multifaceted community health education programs as powerful tools to mitigate snakebite-induced deaths, disabilities, and socioeconomic burden". Toxicon. 7. Bibcode:2023TxcnX..1700147V. doi:10.1016/j.toxcx.2022.100147. PMC 9827049. PMID 36632238.
  43. ^ "Crocodiles go to school: Madras Crocodile Bank launches virtual education programmes". The Hindu. 2 November 2022. Archived from the original on 27 May 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  44. ^ Ramakrishnan, Rohini (28 March 2011). "Adopt us...save us". The Hindu. Retrieved 24 September 2011.
  45. ^ "At Croc Bank: Ex-situ". Madras Crocodile Bank Trust. Archived from the original on 31 March 2023. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
  46. ^ "Chelonian Vet Workshop Hosted in India". Turtle Survival Alliance. 12 September 2022. Archived from the original on 28 September 2023. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  47. ^ "Four volumes of Newsletter (EIACP)" (Press release). Government of India. 9 May 2023. Archived from the original on 17 May 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  48. ^ "Crocodile Conservation - Indian Scenario". Environment Department, Government of Maharashtra. Archived from the original on 29 September 2011. Retrieved 30 August 2011.
  49. ^ C. J. Stevenson (January 2015). "Conservation of the Indian Gharial Gavialis gangeticus: Successes and Failures". International Zoo Yearbook. 49 (1): 150–161. doi:10.1111/izy.12066.
  50. ^ Steven Piggott; Todd R. Lewis; Paul Greig-Smith (January 2010). "Conservation of the gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) at the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust, Chennai, India". The Herptile. 35.
  51. ^ Choudhury, B.C. "Ex-Situ conservation - 1, Crocodile Breeding in Indian Zoos". Environmantal Information System India. Archived from the original on 10 April 2009. Retrieved 4 September 2011.
  52. ^ a b L N Autharjyo (2000). Role of zoos in the conservation of reptiles in India (Report). p. 1. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  53. ^ "AI to ferry bride for crocodile 'Psycho' to Chennai". The Indian Express. Indian Express. 16 April 2010. Retrieved 4 September 2011.
  54. ^ "Role of Zoos in Conservation of Endangered Species". Central Zoo Authority. Archived from the original on 14 August 2011. Retrieved 4 September 2011.
  55. ^ "Viji, the turtle girl". Sanctuary Asia. June 2006. Archived from the original on 5 December 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  56. ^ "Crocodile Bank breeds rare, painted roof turtle". The Times of India. 25 April 2008. Archived from the original on 18 May 2024. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
  57. ^ Menon, Priya (23 November 2008). "Adopt an animal, save endangered species". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 13 September 2012. Retrieved 4 September 2011.
  58. ^ "Reintroduction of Kachuga". The Hindu. 23 June 2010. Archived from the original on 23 September 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  59. ^ Shanker K (2003). "Conservation of Olive Ridley turtles in Madras" (PDF). Herpinstance. 1: 1. Archived (PDF) from the original on 6 August 2023. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  60. ^ Doraisamy, Vani (22 April 2005). "Chennai may become a python-breeding hub". The Hindu. Chennai. Archived from the original on 28 April 2005. Retrieved 24 September 2011.
  61. ^ "Irulas want big role in venom industry". civilsocietyonline.com. Civil Society. November 2009. Archived from the original on 7 July 2011. Retrieved 10 July 2011.
  62. ^ "The Irula tribal snake venom extraction cooperative" (PDF). United Nations Development Programme. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 July 2010. Retrieved 10 July 2011.
  63. ^ Oppili, P. (25 November 2005). "A new job on hand for Irulas". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 27 December 2007. Retrieved 10 July 2011.
  64. ^ Oppili, P. (24 November 2008). "Show-cause notice to Irula snake catchers' society". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 4 October 2012. Retrieved 10 July 2011.
  65. ^ Oppili, P. (6 November 2009). "Not a charmed life for snake catchers at work". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 25 December 2011. Retrieved 10 July 2011.
  66. ^ Bagla, Pallava (25 February 2003). "India Snake Hunters Find Antidote to Joblessness". National Geographic Society. Archived from the original on 26 February 2003. Retrieved 10 July 2011.
  67. ^ "Slip sliding away: venom extraction in Tamil Nadu". The Hindu. 26 November 2023. Archived from the original on 1 December 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  68. ^ Kinzer, Stephen (3 February 1998). "Saving the Crocodile and Putting on a Spectacular Show". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 13 May 2013. Retrieved 30 August 2011.
  69. ^ Ramakrishnan, Rohini (6 June 2011). "When eyes shine at night and foxes fly". The Hindu. Chennai. Archived from the original on 12 August 2011. Retrieved 30 August 2011.
  70. ^ Karthikeyan, Aparna (30 October 2012). "A retreat for reptiles". The Hindu. Chennai. Archived from the original on 5 October 2021. Retrieved 2 November 2012.
  71. ^ "Overview". Madras Crocodile Bank. Archived from the original on 14 May 2024. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  72. ^ "India's largest croc bank to welcome more crocs". Zee News. 11 September 2011. Archived from the original on 23 May 2013. Retrieved 15 January 2012.
  73. ^ "Crocodile Bank". Wildlife Consult. Archived from the original on 1 March 2012. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
  74. ^ a b Madras Crocodile Bank layout (PDF) (Report). Central zoo authority. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  75. ^ "Crocodile Bank to procure green anacondas". The Hindu. 18 September 2007. Archived from the original on 10 November 2012. Retrieved 24 September 2011.
  76. ^ "Green anacondas to find home in Madras Crocodile Bank". Wildlife Watch India. Archived from the original on 25 August 2013. Retrieved 24 September 2011.
  77. ^ "A date with the dragons". The Hindu. 18 April 2016. Archived from the original on 19 April 2016. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  78. ^ Frederick, Prince (24 March 2013). "Birds attract visitors to croc bank". The Hindu. Chennai. Archived from the original on 26 March 2013. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  79. ^ Oppili, P. (17 July 2008). "Madras Crocodile Bank to launch night safari". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 19 July 2008. Retrieved 24 September 2011.
  80. ^ "Go on a night safari at the Madras Crocodile Bank". The Hindu. 22 June 2018. Archived from the original on 18 May 2024. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  81. ^ Annual Report 2010-2011 (PDF) (Report). Madras Crocodile Bank Trust. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 May 2012. Retrieved 1 October 2012.
  82. ^ MCBT/Herpetology Center - Annual Report 2012-2013 (PDF) (Report). Madras Crocodile Bank Trust. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 July 2014. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
  83. ^ "A date with the dragons". The Hindu. 18 April 2016. Archived from the original on 19 April 2016. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  84. ^ Annual Report 2018=19 (PDF) (Report). Madras Crocodile Bank. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Madras Crocodile Bank Trust.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Madras_Crocodile_Bank_Trust&oldid=1256702151"