Safe haven for threatened species
CROCWORLD Conservation Centre’s animal breeding programme has helped to produce offspring for creatures on the brink of extinction.
Established in March 1985, Crocworld has become a safe haven for threatened species.
It not only offers educational tours, but it also runs a breeding programme for different species which will ensure that the animals are protected for future generations.
Wade Kilian, the centre’s reptile curator, said they had four species of crocodiles.
“The ones that we breed prolifically are the Nile crocodiles, American alligators, West African slender-snouted crocodiles, and the West African dwarf crocodiles,” he said.
Kilian, whose love of reptiles started when he received a pet brown house snake for his 6th birthday, said the West African dwarf crocodile was bred in higher numbers than now. He said they were also considered a vulnerable species.
“We recently got an adult male from the New Germany Nature Reserve. We are planning on introducing him to the resident female probably in June or July. They will hopefully start breeding from there and lay eggs at the end of the year.”
Kilian, 25, of Greenwood Park in Durban, said he enjoyed caring for the reptiles. He also did presentations to visitors and fed the animals.
“Each day at Crocworld presents something new. I love working with reptiles.”
Ryne Ferguson, the centre’s bird curator, said they had successfully housed some bird species that were threatened or endangered.
Ferguson, of Scottburgh, said he was passionate about birds and enjoyed educating people about the different species.
“Some of the birds that we have include the marabou stork, grey crowned cranes, spotted eagle owls, greater flamingos, blue cranes and mute swans.”
Ferguson said they were successfully breeding grey crowned cranes, spotted eagle owls, marabou stork and juco buzzards.
He said the marabou stork breeding
started in 2020.
“The juco buzzards only bred about five months ago.”
To date, the team has had a number of breeding successes with the birds and reptiles.
In a press release, James Wittstock, the Crocworld Conservation centre manager, said: “We are passionate about educating people about our diverse animal species, but alongside our many educational programmes are our breeding programmes that have proven incredibly effective.”
Wittstock said the centre was a member of Species360, an international organisation.
“Through this organisation, we are able to contribute to global conservation projects by collating and sharing knowledge gained through the programmes. This improves animal welfare and informs species conservation.”
Visitors can also see and handle snakes; hold a baby crocodile, and watch the crocodile feeding sessions.
One of the centre’s attractions is Henry, the 120-year-old Nile crocodile, the oldest and heaviest in captivity. He measures almost 5m and weighs between 700 to 1 000kg.