Educating people is essential

MAKING people aware of the importance of every living thing in an ecosystem is a vital part of preserving wildlife and their habitats.

“The conservation of local wildlife, as well as educating the public about the importance of wildlife conservation, is central to our role at Crocworld Conservation Centre,” said James Wittstock, manager of the Scottburgh-based centre.

“Our team puts on reptile demonstrations and talks which address misinformation about these animals while informing the public about their value to the ecosystem. We also assist residents with snake removals to ensure these valuable creatures aren’t harmed but rather relocated to safer areas.”

In addition, Crocworld Conservation Centre runs breeding programmes which are instrumental in furthering the genetic diversity of threatened species, including the once-endangered American alligator, the jackal buzzard, marabou storks, and Cape vultures.

This is supported by Crocworld’s membership within Species360, a global conservation entity that facilitates information collection from 1 200 aquariums, zoos, and universities, as well as research and governmental facilities worldwide across 99 countries on six continents.

Members such as Crocworld curate the Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS), the world’s most comprehensive database of knowledge on more than 22 000 species, for the global fight against extinction.

For a list of snake removal contacts in the greater Durban area, visit the African Snakebite Institute website africansnakebiteinstitute. com/snake-removals?_sf_s=durban

SUPPLIED TEACHING people about the importance of protecting wildlife is central to the mission of Crocworld Conservation Centre, said manager James Wittstock, seen here holding an Amazon Tree Boa. The centre relocates snakes from populated areas to keep people and the feared animals safe.