Crocworld Conservation Centre welcomes new resident

13 April 2021


The team at Crocworld Conservation Centre is delighted to announce its latest wildlife addition, an adult female West-African Slender Snouted Crocodile (or Mecistops cataphractus), which is on loan from another facility. She’ll join the existing male of the same species, to form a potential breeding pair. Crocworld Conservation Centre’s acting Centre Manager, James Wittstock, said: “This particular species of crocodile, which can be found from Angola to Senegal, is critically endangered, with only 500 to 1 000 left in the wild. They’re hunted for bushmeat and traditional medicine which has resulted in their dwindling numbers. With rehabilitation and conservation at the heart of what we do, we hope that our new addition will allow us to introduce a breeding programme for the species.” Unlike the local crocodile species that can be found at the centre, the West-African Slender Snouted Crocodile is small-to-medium in size; they’re primarily fish-eating; and prefer vegetated water bodies to live in. Get to Scottburgh’s Crocworld Conservation Centre to view the latest addition, or any of the other 400 animals that reside here! Crocworld follows all Covid-19 protocols. Visitors must wear masks, sanitise and follow family group social distancing regulations. In line with regulations, the centre and café are open from 9am to 4.30pm.