Fund Placencia Nature Center, Unite communities

Save a Species and Revive Culture in Belize

November 2025 - February 2026

These last few months the CRC has prepped one of our last enclosures, and we are glad we had the funds to do so! An 8ft male American crocodile from Placencia Lagoon just recently moved into one of the last enclosures. This animal was attacking people’s dogs; originally we thought it was because people were feeding it. Unfortunately, there is a more dire truth. When we caught the croc, his eyes were foggy and illustrated glycoma or cataracts. This illustrates his eyesight was diminishing due to poor water quality in the lagoon. Dogs are easier prey than the crocodiles’ normal prey. This croc now known as Einstein will have a home at the CRC thanks to our donors. And through him, we hope we can identify the contaminants in the water that contributed to his loss of sight.

Thank you to all who have donated towards our project through GlobalGiving. We hope we continue to raise more funds so we can break ground of our planned science museum, and the first location to house fossils and other paleontological wildlife finds here in Belize. Paleontology is in its infancy here in Belize, and many young students are unaware of this field of science. And most importantly, we hope to raise funds to continue to provide excellent husbandry care for our croc ambassadors. Five out of six of our crocodile species have some type of ailment that prevents them from surviving in the wild. Especially our newest croc “Einstein” who seems to be losing his eyesight due to water pollution from the lagoon. He will need to receive particular veterinary care, along with Savannah who needs an x-ray soon to ensure she is not developing a bone infection in her snout. We had a previous crocodile similar to Sam who had no teeth (due to poor nutrition and stress from her previous situation), and we found out retained teeth caused a bone infection that led to her premature death. We want to ensure our captive animals get the highest care at our facility.

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:

• What's in the water?