Crocodile Research Coalition Wraps Up Summer Activities and Shares What's Ahead for CROCtober

Summer Croc'in Had Me a Blast, Summer Croc'in Happened so Fast!

By MARISA TELLEZ, GRECIA MENDEZ and MIRIAM BOUCHER of CRC

CRC conducting education outreach inside the Placencia Community Center.

As our hot and humid Belizean summer moves forward into fall (or what would be considered the rainy season in Belize), we can’t help but reflect on the huge amount of work the Crocodile Research Coalition (CRC) accomplished this summer season. We covered five out of six of Belize’s districts for research and outreach and surveyed hundreds of kilometers of amazing aquatic habitats in search of Belize’s two iconic crocodile species, the American and Morelet’s crocodile. Our surveys were conducted by foot, motorboat, kayak, canoe and even by drone! This summer was also an exciting time for crocodile nesting. Last year we struggled to find any crocodile nests, which may have been due to the horrific hurricane season last year (a pattern observed amongst our colleagues throughout the region); however, this year we marked around 15 crocodile nests and were able to use game cameras to catch some croc moms hard at work building, maintaining, and excavating their nests (check out our Facebook Croc Cam videos!).

So what’s it like to conduct research with the CRC? Well, let’s take an example from our recent surveys around Gales Point …The night was dark as we conducted our surveys; however, it contrasted with the astonishing brightness of the bioluminescence of the waters that was visible during the four nights that we were there. As we surveyed along the lagoon, adjacent rivers and creeks we noticed that the habitat for the crocodile was ideal; however, few animals were spotted (a similar pattern we observe in the Placencia Lagoon). Historically, this village used hunting as a means of subsistence and also sold crocodile skin to the British industry; today crocodiles in Belize continue to face hunting pressure due to illegal hunting for the illegal trade of skin and meat nationally and internationally.

The CRC also participated in multiple community events including the Annual Placencia Lobsterfest, World Crocodile Day at The Belize Zoo, and of course, conducted outreach with camps on the peninsula. We also had the opportunity to stay with many amazing organizations and communities throughout the country from Programme for Belize in Orange Walk, to Blue Ventures in Bacalar Chico National Park, to the TIDE ranger station in Payne’s Creek National Park. Most recently we had an amazing stay in Gales Point (identified for its importance for the manatee population and since 1998, 3,690 hectares have been designated as the Gales Point Wildlife Sanctuary), and were marvellously welcomed by the community.

During our outreach, we get asked a variety of questions like, “How long can a crocodile holdits breath? How long can a crocodile live for? Why did the Maya praise and perform religious ceremonies for crocodiles? And how can I learn how to co-exist with these animals?” These are just some of the questions people ask the CRC, and you can learn all the answers and more during the month of CROCtober! CROCtober has become a special month for all of us croc enthusiasts and lovers around the world, and for the CRC that means an intense month of educational outreach- squashing the false facts and misguided beliefs of Belize’s iconic crocodile species, the Morelet’s and American crocodile.

CRC team at work.

The last few years around Placencia, the CRC has made a strong effort to conduct weekly educational wildlife outreach to schools. But this year we want to expand our outreach to businesses – CRC will be reaching out to restaurants, banks, resorts and hotels (or if you are reading this, reach out to us!) to offer a lunch time Croc Talk. In 20 minutes, we will provide you important croc facts, history and myths that surround them, and the Do’s and Don’ts of living with crocodiles to promote co-existence. And, we would be more than happy to provide an educational talk to hotel guests or village visitors.

Besides the educational outreach fun, keep your eye out for more information about a CRC CROCtober fundraiser, raising funds to assist us in our educational outreach programs, and research.

As CRC recaps on this past summer research, and begins preparing for CROCtober, we are also busy laying the ground work for a large international conference that will now be held on the Peninsula. The IUCN/SSC-Crocodile Specialist Group Regional Meeting will be focused on conservation of crocodiles and their habitat (such as the Placencia Lagoon) in the Central American and Caribbean region, with conservation and wildlife experts traveling from the United States, Australia, Africa, Europe, and South America. The CRC is seekingsponsorship or donations to assist us in the organization of this meeting; all sponsors or donors will be represented or acknowledged at the three-day conference. To find out more on how you can donate and sponsor or how your business can be highlighted to conference participants, please contact CRC Program Coordinator and IUCN/ SSC- Crocodile Specialist Group Sub-Regional Administrative Assistant Grecia Mendez at program.coordinator@crcbelize.org.

As we say goodbye to summer we would like to thank all those who have participated, assisted, followed and supported our work. We are looking forward to what this fall will bring, especially with CROCtober coming up. Make sure to follow us on Facebook or through our "A Load of Croc" blog to keep up to date with activities and updates.

The Crocodile Research Coalition is a Belize-based nonprofit (with a sister 501(c)3 in the USA) that seeks to preserve crocodiles and their environments throughout Central America and the Caribbean to ensure long-term sustainability of biodiversity in the region. If you are interested in learning more about our research and educational outreach programs, or would like to donate, please head to our website: www. crocodileresearchcoalition.org.