Mamallapuram or Mahabalipuram is one of the most famous getaway spots from Chennai. People who are looking for a weekend break can take a road trip that goes further than Pondicherry. Unknown to many, there is the largest Crocodile Sanctuary in India, and one of the largest reptilian zoos in the world. It is known to be Madras Crocodile Bank Trust & Centre for Herpetology, it is built within the coastal dune forest. Reptiles like gharials, marsh crocodiles, anacondas, & turtles, the place is filled with many water bodies.
Attractions like holding a baby crocodile, crocodile feeding, aquarium, and snake venom extraction center are quite popular among tourists. They also have schemes like \’Adopt a Reptile\’ that go a great way in the conservation of these water creatures that have been around in some form for millions of years.
How it is Established?
Crocodile hunting used to be its peak in the 1950s mainly due to the reptile skin trade. They were on the verge of extinction in the early 1970s, the Indian Government finally took a major step by banning crocodile hunting under the Wildlife Protection Act. The legendary wildlife conservationist Roumul Whitaker and his ex-wife established the Madras Crocodile Sanctuary with the aim of safety, conservation, breeding, & rehabilitation to their natural habitat.
Flora of the Sanctuary
This sanctuary is home to 17 species of crocodiles currently. Several other forms of animals and avian kingdom have found home here, turtles, snakes, lizards, amphibians, and more than 60 species of birds, grateful to its numerous water bodies and thick vegetation. Many species which were on the verge of extinction were successfully bred in captivity through monitoring & close research; the most notable being the gharial, Indian painted roof turtle, and the Bhatagur turtle. This crocodile sanctuary also supplies stock breed to several other zoos in Indian & abroad.
Why you must visit this?
It is home to about 2000 adult crocodiles which include gharials, Indian mugger crocodile, African dwarf, Siamese crocodiles, Nile crocodiles, and more than 100 reptiles including endangered species like iguanas, green anacondas, albino cobras, and giant tortoises. You can have fun while watching the beautiful gharials swimming gracefully underwater amidst various fishes and turtles.
The crocodiles are primarily nocturnal and thus tend to hunt, breed, and explore the world after sunsets. You can book a night safari here to watch crocodiles in their most active state. With torches on, it is one of a kind experience you can\’t have anywhere else with these ferocious beasts.
Other places you can visit in Mahabalipuram
Mahabalipuram is a 15-minute drive from Crocodile Bank Trust. It is one the oldest city in India and is famous for its rock-cut architecture and long coastline and is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. While you are here you can not miss the Group of Monuments, the Shore Temple, the Chariot Temples, cave Sanctuaries which are some of the oldest structural stone temples of South India.
Tiger Caves, Seas shell Museum. Lighthouse and Heritage Museum getting added to the list because of the unique experience one can have there. So, go on! visit this largest crocodile sanctuary in India and find out everything about it.
