By Dr. Marisa Tellez | Executive Director and Founder
Save a Species and Revive Culture in Belize
Nov 2024 - March 2025
GlobalGiving Tuesday on December 3, 2024 was a big success for us as it provided some important funds to our Research, Education, and Environmental Science Center beginning infrastructure. Prior to GlobalGiving, we had a few enclosures on our 25 acres of land for 5 crocodile ambassadors we currently take care of. Our goal is not to develop on the whole 25 acres, but develop on less than 10 acres to create the first science center in Belize, while also providing a permanent place for non-releasable crocodiles that is of the highest standard. Given the false facts and misguided beliefs about crocodiles, we want to ensure this facility can provide a place of education, tolerance, empathy, and pride for ALL wildlife.
Given the donations from the last few months, we have given our infamous large male Morelet’s croc Gilly a new enclosure makeover. Gilly is famous for 2 main reasons: 1) he was in a show with Steve Irwin in 2003, and 2) he is considered one of the largest Morelet’s crocodiles in captivity! Given his fame, and what a stellar example of a crocodile he is, it was only fitting Gilly got an upgrade on his enclosure. We are also currently sourcing some fruit trees to plant in and outside of the enclosures to provide shade for guests and tourists, as well as provide food and habitat for various birds in the area, which include the critically endangered yellow-head parrot. We will also be preparing one of our older enclosures to house hatchling crocodiles as we are nearing the hatching season.
Thank you to all who have donated towards our project through GlobalGiving. Our next report will have more exciting update as we build more enclosures and work on our walkway for guests. We are very grateful to all of those that have donated and are willing to help us create a place of education, tolerance, and empathy towards crocodiles and all wildlife along with exciting the next generation about science and conservation! Furthermore, this project will help us revive lost generational tolerance and culture that was tied to crocodiles and their environment. Thank you all so much for sinking your teeth into conservation with the CRC and Belize!
Dr. Marisa Tellez and the CRC team
Links:
Project reports on GlobalGiving are posted directly to globalgiving.org by Project Leaders as they are completed, generally every 3-4 months. To protect the integrity of these documents, GlobalGiving does not alter them; therefore you may find some language or formatting issues.
If you donate to this project or have donated to this project, you can receive an email when this project posts a report. You can also subscribe for reports without donating.
Support this important cause by creating a personalized fundraising page.
Start a Fundraiser
