{
  "id": 3475693,
  "title": "Madras Crocodile Bank turns 50: How does this reptilian zoo run?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/madras-crocodile-bank-turns-50-how-does-this-reptilian-zoo-run",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-08-26T09:13:17.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu - Sci-Tech",
    "slug": "the-hindu-sci-tech",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/madras-crocodile-bank-turns-50-how-does-this-reptilian-zoo-run/article71391602.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Madras Crocodile Bank Trust (MCBT), established in 1976, is a reptilian zoo dedicated to conserving endangered crocodilians and other reptile species. Located on a desolate stretch of East Coast Road in Tamil Nadu, the 8.5-acre campus houses over 47 gharials, 32 other reptile species, and various snakes and lizards. Established by Rom and Zai Whitaker, the bank has pioneered numerous programs, including the Snake Bite Mitigation Project, which aids reptilian research critical for India.\n\nThe inception of MCBT came about during a time when crocodiles were hunted for their skins, leading to a significant population decline. Facing the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, Rom Whitaker, a renowned conservationist, conceived the idea of creating a crocodile breeding facility to aid in their preservation. Funded initially by wedding gifts, family support, and the sale of possessions, the bank was commissioned on August 26, 1976. Zai, the co-founder, vividly recalls the arrival of the first gharial—a critically endangered species—in a box, which was then released into a water-filled pen.\n\nToday, the Croc Bank is run by a passionate team of animal handlers, educators, volunteers, staff members, and researchers who have been instrumental in setting up various initiatives such as the Andaman and Nicobar Environmental Team (ANET) and the Irula Snake Catchers' Industrial Cooperative Society. These initiatives have not only contributed to the conservation of freshwater turtles, sea turtles, and gharials but also provided livelihood opportunities for the Irulas, a community affected by the ban on snakeskin trade.",
  "summary": "Fifty years after Rom and Zai Whitaker founded the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust with wedding gifts and a shared conservation dream, the Chennai reptile zoo now shelters gharials, crocodiles, turtles, and snakes; and a devoted community of handlers, educators, and researchers still fighting for reptile conservation across India",
  "key_points": [
    "Madras Crocodile Bank Trust established in 1976 for crocodile and reptile conservation.",
    "Founded by Rom and Zai Whitaker to combat crocodile hunting and population decline.",
    "Operated by dedicated team including researchers and Irula Snake Catchers cooperative."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}