In the summer of 1998, Brian Stacy, class of 2001 at The College of Veterinary Medicine, traveled to India to work with the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust (MCBT), Centre for Herpetology. The MCBT was founded in 1975 by naturalized Indian Romulus Whitaker. The original goals of the park included the initiation of a breeding program for India's three endangered crocodilian species, the Saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus), the Indian Mugger or Marsh Crocodile, (Crocodylus palustris), and the Indian gharial (Gavialis gangeticus). The Croc Bank also participates in conservation measures such as conducting wild crocodile surveys, organizing and providing animals for captive release, and proposing the development of sustainable utilization of crocodiles. Today, in addition to serving as a focus for herpetological research, the MCBT's primary role is public education. As the predatory nature and aggressive reputation of crocodilians offers many barriers to positive public relations, the MCBT provides a valuable educational environment for the introduction of crocodiles to humans.

In 1998, Brian worked with MCBT assistant curator, Nikhil Whitaker and other staff members to establish necropsy protocols and conducted a study of hematologic and biochemical parameters of the Indian Mugger or Marsh crocodile. In 1999, he received a Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation grant to return to the MCBT to undertake independent research on mortality of captive crocodilians at the park. As part of his research, Brian examined crocodilian pathology and parasitism with respect to implications on crocodilian health within the park and on free-ranging animals from captive release. In addition, he improved the field laboratory at the MCBT using donated equipment and initiated the training of MCBT staff in disease recognition and rudimentary diagnostics. Brian continues to work with the MCBT.

"The MCBT’s role in public education and conservation is unique for many reasons. First, a majority of animals within the park are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. Thus, most of the thousands of people that visit the park annually actually are sharing their environment with these potentially dangerous animals. In western zoos, visitors may observe an Indian cobra or a Saltwater crocodile. A few of these people actually may gain some respect for these animals, but none share their backyards with them. In India, you are trying to educate people who may have had family or friends injured or killed by snakebite. Many have dealt with cobras or kraits within their homes. With respect to crocodiles, some people deal with these animals everyday when they fish for food, draw their water, launder their clothes and bathe. Other reptiles are important sources of food and income. If you neglect these issues when attempting to educate or implement conservation strategies, your objectives are doomed to failure. Unrelenting idealism will not get you very far in places like India. Firsthand experience is the only way that I know to truly understand people and it first step to helping them deal with their problems. Respect for the many cultures that I encountered and their ways of life is one of the most valuable things that I have taken away from this experience.

I initially traveled to India to meet Romulus Whitaker, the MCBT director, and other staff members that I have read about for years. Rom has worked for many years in fields that interest me, in particular, sustainable use of wildlife as a conservation measure. He has helped lay the groundwork for establishment of crocodile ranching in India as well as Papua New Guinea. Rom's other projects include the promotion of a venom extraction industry for the Irula people. The Irulas are an indigenous people of southern India who were once dependent on the snakeskin trade for income. The skin trade was outlawed in the 1970's and Rom played a vital role in formulating and legalizing a catch-and-release sustainable yield system as an alternative to killing thousands of snakes annually. I feel that such programs would benefit from a greater contribution from veterinary science with respect to understanding and managing impacts on wildlife health and disease. Through many conversations with Rom and Harry Andrews, the joint director, and firsthand experience, I gained a new respect for the daunting intricacies of wildlife issues in developing countries. Reading is the first step in learning about such issues, but the only way to truly understand is to pack your bags at live it.

My time in India has been one of the greatest experiences of my life. It has given me an understanding of international wildlife issues and different cultures that I can draw from for the rest of my career. I have no doubt that this knowledge will enhance my contributions to the fields of veterinary science and wildlife health. Equally as important is the many close friends that I have made and their significant impact on my life."

^  Top of page