From a park that was home to just three crocodiles, the Madras Crocodile Bank in the 35 years of its existence, protects 14 endangered crocodile species and is ready for four more

It's business as usual at the Madras Crocodile Bank, except that there is a sense of achievement in the air. As maintenance manager Munuswamy goes from pen to pen and feeds the multitude of crocodiles, there is a spring in his step. As the man who has been with the bank through 35 years of its existence — which has led to a celebration among the staff — he is considered a hero. From regular visitors and mediapersons to the director of the MCB Colin James Stevenson, everyone is all praise for his singular contribution.

“Munuswamy has played a major role in all the efforts of the bank. He has supervised all the buildings and enclosures that have come up on this 10-acre facility. Whenever difficult crocodiles have to be given medical treatment or relocated for radio telemetry studies, he can be trusted to do the job,” says Colin, who accords the same degree of importance to work performed by volunteers and low- and middle-level staff as he does to planning by the experts in realising Romulus Whitaker's vision.

What is significant is that when the vision was getting bigger, the entire team would draw upon reserves of strength to meet fresh demands. From a reptilian park that supported three crocodilian species struggling in the wild — saltwater crocodiles, marsh crocodiles and gharials — it has grown into one that preserves 14 species. In addition, 11 species of endangered turtles are getting a fresh lease of life.

Exciting times

Colin predicts more exciting times lie ahead: in a few weeks, the bank will get four more crocodilian species — Cuban crocodiles, black caimans, broad-snouted caimans and smooth-fronted caimans. Anacondas, also to be introduced, may put the crocs in the shade. Colin agrees that this huge snake will enthral visitors, but he is certain the Cuban crocodile, with its eye-catching colours, , can rival the anaconda's popularity.

Once the Cubans come, the workload will considerably increase. These crocs have a short fuse and can turn violent without any warning; Colin wants to condition them to respond to specific commands. He hopes the Cubans can be trained to behave as meekly as Ally, an American alligator at the bank who is the darling of the handlers, because she sweetly responds to commands such as ‘open' (which helps throw medicine into her mouth) and ‘run'.

That's not all. A few enclosures — at present housing crowds of marsh crocodiles — have to be made available to accommodate the four species of crocodiles. The marsh crocs in the pens will be relocated to a private facility, close to Romulus' huge 'jungle' house on the outskirts of Chengelpet.

New look

Another change involves giving the bank a new look. An attractive façade and upgraded pens are among the features aimed at making it more modern. Colin also announces the trust's objective to make the park one with the most number of croc species in the world. With 23 crocodilian species, the St. Augustine Alligator Farm in Florida is at the top of the tree now.

The bank also wants to build on its reputation as a premier research organisation. A Rs. 25 lakh annual grant for researchers in the field of herpetology in India is a sign of this resolve.