Humans and Crocodiles

Humans and Crocodiles: Text

Belize is a compact Caribbean jungle nation with a supreme density and diversity of life. History, geology, geography, and luck have shaped the lives of humans and crocodiles here, and the CRC (Crocodilian Research Coalition) is laboring to mold this relationship into something sustainable and accessible.

Dr. Marissa Tellez, the founder of the CRC, has assembled a team of researchers and conservationists that are working on all levels to understand the crocodiles that inhabit the waterways of Belize and communicate what they’ve learned not only to the global scientific community , but to the people who live alongside them. It is a team that is equally comfortable in a lab coat, mingling with Money, barefoot in thigh high mud, and hands on with wild crocodiles. Dr. Tellez brought in two colleagues, Dr. Luis Sigler and Flavio Morrissiey to aid in a specific mission. Sigler is a wildlife veterinarian with the Dallas World Aquarium, and Morrissiey is a behaviorist with the Crocodilian Specialist Group.

Gilly and Sam are two Morelet’s crocodiles that were under the care of Carol and Richard Foster. The couple were acclaimed wildlife filmmakers who dedicated their lives to documenting the natural world, and they had a sincere connection to these animals. Carol was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and Richard became her caretaker. In the summer of 2018, Richard was murdered, a robbery that left Carol without the means to remain in their home or care for the crocs. These crocodiles had become too habituated to humans, and Carol became concerned for their future, so she asked the CRC for help.

In this case, the role of the CRC goes beyond research. The memory of Richard Foster, the well being of the community, and the lives of these individual animals punctuate a monumental effort to conserve wildlife in Belize.

Humans and Crocodiles: Text

Gilly is caught and secured by the team. Both Gilly and Sam used to be about double their current weight. The crocs had to go on a strict diet for over a year to lose the weight so they could be transported safely. Dr. Tellez worked with them, based on exercises created by Flavio Morrissiey that were designed to familiarize the crocodiles with certain routines and establish boundaries. This behavioral work allowed for smooth catches when it came time to capture the crocs.

Outside the world of specialists, crocodiles have a reputation for being instinct driven eating machines, but in reality they are intelligent animals that have a huge capacity for learning, understanding, and building relationships.

Humans and Crocodiles: Pro Gallery

Carol is able to touch Gilly for the first time. She and her husband Richard spent decades with these animals, but never had the opportunity to feel them. Gilly is wrapped and secured for his own safety. He has never been handled, and crocodiles can hurt themselves thrashing in the back of a vehicle. Different animals have different temperments, and Gilly is very personable, but in this case it is better to be safe and restrict his movements.

Humans and Crocodiles: Pro Gallery

The more challenging crocodile was Sam. She didn't show herself for days leading up to the catch. Eventually, after the team waded through the pond and probed an underwater cave, Sam was found in a stand of palm trees on the perimeter of the enclosure.

Humans and Crocodiles: Pro Gallery

Humans and Crocodiles

​

​

In this case, the role of the CRC goes beyond research. The memory of Richard Foster, the well being of the community, and the lives of these individual animals punctuate a monumental effort to conserve wildlife in Belize.

​