Your trip to Chennai is incomplete without a visit to the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust and Centre for Herpetology at Vadanemmeli on East Coast Road. Also known as the Croc Bank, this place has over the years been involved in educating people about wildlife and the environment.
Now, for a bit of history
By the early 1970s India's crocodile population had been exploited to the brink of extinction. The government stepped in and three species of crocodiles were protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
It was then that the idea for a living genetic repository of crocodiles for safekeeping was mooted. The Croc Bank was the end result. Set up by Romulus Whitaker in 1976, the 10-acre park, a coastal dune forest is just a little way ahead of Mahabalipuram.
What does Croc Bank do?
The Croc Bank is one of the largest reptile zoos in the country and is home to over 2,500 reptiles and birds. Extensive research into the behavior of the reptiles and their habitat is carried out here. They breed crocodiles and other endangered reptiles in captivity and you can see it during a visit to the place.
What can you do
A trip with your children to Croc Bank will be memorable. The authorities organize a field trip to the Croc Bank where children are introduced to the fierce creatures. You can volunteer at the Crock Bank too. During vacations, the Croc Bank arranges overnight adventures for small groups. Interactive learning sessions with the experts and nature trips with the native tribespeople is a must do. It will be entertaining for kids to play a junior zoo keeper for a day.
Timings & tickets
Timings: Tuesday to Sunday, 8:30 am to 5:30 pm, Closed on Mondays
Entry tickets : Adult: Rs.50/-, Children below 10 years : Rs.30/-
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