ACES Croc Chronicles #4

Submitted by ACES Research Biologist Cherie Chenot-Rose

WASA Croc Problem Continues and Amplifies
On Tuesday, March 23rd, ACES headed south to continue the croc population survey. Attracted by three carts of people at WASA, the team stopped only to see one of the same problematic crocs that they had caught six months ago. This croc, missing a hind foot, is exceptionally fearless of man and extremely dangerous. When ACES croc behaviorist Vince Rose splashed the waters edge the croc immediately charged. Catching the team off-guard Vince was forced to quickly fix a lasso and catch the croc. The croc was so hostile that the rope was handed off to croc conservationist Chris Summers and Vince choose to jump on the head of the croc to subdue the animal. No sooner than catching the croc, a second croc aggressively approached the team as they worked quickly to secure the first croc. With no alternative, the team wrangled the second croc. Rite-Way General Contractors again generously donated transportation of the large apex predators to the Sniffin residence for safe keeping for the night. Sadly, both animals were in extremely poor health and condition with severe bite injuries most likely from a larger croc. Feeding the crocs is illegal. Not only does it make them more aggressive and prone to attack a human, but it also makes them attack each other as they fight for the free, easy meal. This was the first time ACES had caught the second croc. The croc had suffered a severe attack and was missing the larger part of its tail. It may not survive. Because of the injuries, or maybe due to a lack of prey in the WASA lagoon, both reptiles were starving. Due to their slow metabolism, it can take a large croc a year to slowly and painfully starve to death. This is just one more reason for supporting ACES relocation efforts of removing the largest predators from that area.

Testing a new theory, magnetic amplifiers were taped to the croc’s heads for their relocation to a secluded area north of San Pedro. Scientists believe that crocodilian’s spatial orientation is geared by the magnetic poles, much like in migratory birds. The idea is the magnets in the amplifiers will keep the animals from memorizing where they were relocated from and then will be less likely to return to their point of origin. Both crocs were tagged by scute-clipping prior to release for identification and for DNA and toxicity studying. The large animals were transported on a trailer donated by Tyler Cornell and Legends Burger House.

Croc Talk at the San Pedro Library
Lunchtime Monday the 28th at the San Pedro library was full of curiously excited students when Cherie and Vince of ACES showed up with a 3ft live American crocodile, of course it’s mouth was taped shut! Invited by SP Librarian Iracela Acosta and reading enrichment volunteer Liz Gibson Richards, the program started with some children reading out loud about crocodiles from books. Cherie then gave a question and answer presentation on the biology of the crocodiles found in Belize and the Belize Wildlife Protection Act (Chapter 220) that protects them. Always reminding the children that one has to go to school for proper training and then be permitted by the Belize Forest Department in order to work with any of Belize’s protected species, including crocodiles. At the close of the session each student who raised his or her hand and gave one crocodile fact was allowed to view the small reptile up close. It was very educational for everyone, and at the close of the presentation Mrs. Richards and Cherie brainstormed about the idea of a “naturalist” after school club for interested student. Anyone wishing to help, or would like to have an ACES presentation, please email Cherie at acesnpo@hughes.net.

American Crocodile Population Survey Update in Ambergris Caye for the Rufford Small Grants Foundation
From December 2010 to February 2011, one hundred and thirteen American crocodiles Crocodylus acutus were observed during spotlight and daylight surveys of a 72.42 km route (1.56 crocodiles/km) through coastal, mangrove, and lagoon habitats in Ambergris Caye, Belize. Of these, 32 (28.3%) were classified as ‘eye-shine only,’ and the remaining 81 (71.7%) where classified as hatchlings (20; 24.7%), juveniles (7; 8.6%), sub-adults (26; 32.1%), and adults (28; 34.6%). Out of the twenty-three tagged crocodiles, 12 (52.2%) were males and 11 (47.8%) were females. One Crocodylus acutus captured exhibited intermittent ventral scutes post cloacal. While this lends to the possibility hybridization (cross breeding of American and Morelet’s crocodile), DNA testing is needed for confirmation. Another C. acutus was captured with a ‘marbled eye.’ The crocodile’s vision did not appear impaired. A full report will be published in the next Crocodile Specialist Group newsletter. For grant opportunities go to http://www.ruffordsmallgrants.org/

Interview with Vince and Cherie Rose of ACES after the arson of ACES/American Crocodile Education Sanctuary by Wildlife Photographer Brandon Sideleau.
Be sure to tune into the one-hour croc log podcast and learn about Crocodilians and hear the latest croc news with Croc Expert Adam Britton and Wildlife Photographer Brandon Sideleau. Link: http://crocodilian.blogspot.com/2011/03/croclog-podcast-episode-4.html

Always remember to call ACES at 631-6366 if you have a croc problem or witness a croc crime.

Now Available: Croc Pops!!

Alexis and the delicious Croc Pop

The Cotton Tree Chocolate factory in Punta Gorda has made a donation to the ACES founders, now relocated to San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. After the devastating loss of their sanctuary and home last month, Vince and Cherie Rose (founders of ACES) have been working towards rebuilding their lives and of course, to continue their work with the American Crocodiles.
Helping the couple is Cotton Tree Chocolate Factory, a company based out of Punta Gorda. They have created the fun Croc Pops – chocolates in the shapes of crocodiles – which will be sold in stores in Punta Gorda and Ambergris Caye. The sale proceeds will go towards the rebuilding of ACES on Ambergris Caye. Juli Puryear of Cotton Tree Chocolate Factory was in the San Pedro Sun office dropping off some delicious treats for the staff, along with Cherie Rose and ACES friend Alexis.
The Croc Pops will be sold for $2.50 a piece, and again, all proceeds go towards the rebuilding of ACES.

Juli and Cherie

ACES Hosts First Ever Fund Raising Event in Punta Gorda

ACES founders Cherie & Vince Rose welcome their guests.

On Friday, August 13th the American Crocodile Education Sanctuary (ACES) held their first fund raising event ever at the Coral House Inn in Punta Gorda. Situated on the inviting ocean-side grounds and pool area of the Inn, the evening was well attended by local supporters and tourists visiting the area. Guests enjoyed live guitar music and vocals by “Croc Man” Vince Rose who is the Animal Behaviorist at ACES, savored a variety of hors d’oeuvres generously donated by friends and local businesses and sipped cocktails and drink specials.

The night was highlighted by two fire dance performances by Marisa Tellez who is a student intern at ACES and a PhD candidate specializing in Crocodilian Parastiology.

A raffle was held at the end of the night where guests anxiously awaited to hear if they had won cashew wine or a special tour of the ACES facility. The evening, full of socializing and entertainment was enjoyed by all who attended.

ACES is permitted by the Belize Forest Department (BFD) and rescues problematic, inhumanely and illegally kept crocodiles country-wide. Problematic crocodiles cannot be re-released because they have been fed by humans and now seek out humans as a food source. Instead of euthanizing these large reptiles, and in order to help save this threatened species from extinction, ACES contains the animals in secure, natural habitats where they are professionally cared for while educating local school children and raising public awareness on how to safely co-exist with these highly threatened apex predators.

This problematic Amercian Crocodile, named "Satan" by the locals, is one of the many relocated to ACES from Ambergris Caye.

The proceeds raised from the recent fund raiser will enabled ACES to purchase one more roll of fencing for a new croc habitat at their facility. Currently 80% of the crocs housed at ACES are from Ambergris Caye where they had to be removed after deemed dangerous by the BFD. The new natural containment area will be for 'Fast Eddie', the 10 foot American Crocodile recently rescued from the WASA lagoon south of San Pedro. The croc was named after Eddie from Coastal Xpress in recognition of their generous support in quickly transporting two crocs to the mainland for their transport to ACES in Punta Gorda. The second croc, a female, was named Xanadu in appreciation for the hospitality and exceptional support from Xanadu Island Resort and Carts Belize. While Xanadu is residing nicely with three other rescued crocs from Ambergris, a new facility needs to be finished for Fast Eddie. Large male American Crocs over 10 feet need individual space or they will fight till death. $5,000BZ still needs to be raised to complete his new home. He is currently in a holding pen receiving special care until construction is completed. Fast Eddie is a very sick croc, lacking teeth just like the croc from Banyan Bay, “Bubbles” who passed away during a rescue effort.

The ACES compound (left) is located on the Rio Grande river in Punta Gorda.

Cherie Chenot-Rose, ACES biologist, will be on the island the end of the month to discuss the extreme importance of a crocodile population survey on Ambergris Caye. According to Chenot-Rose, one of ACES long-term goals is to remedy the croc-human conflict on Ambergris by establishing a crocodile sanctuary on the island so that problematic crocs do not have to endure the stress of such a long transport. The sanctuary would not only provide a safe contained habitat for the problematic crocs right here on the island, but would provide a place for implementing an educational program at a facility where people could learn about the unique wildlife of the island. In addition, such a sanctuary would yield huge economic benefits to the community. The population assessment is the first step of a crocodilian conservation effort on Ambergris Caye.

ACES would like to thank all those who helped with the successful fund raiser. Cottontree Chocolate, Judith Supaul, Josephine Supaul, James Store, Whitts Store, Coral House Inn and The San Pedro Sun. For more information about ACES please visit their website at www.americancrocodilesanctuary.org.

Two Problematic Crocs Removed from WASA Lagoon

On Thursday, July 15th, Wildlife Officer Rasheda Sampson of the Belize Forest Department (BFD) and the ACES / American Crocodile Education Sanctuary team captured two, large problematic crocodiles from the WASA lagoon area south of San Pedro Town. The crocs, showing no fear of humans, came rushing out of the water when approached, looking for a chicken handout. This is not a normal behavior for wild American Crocodiles, Crocodylus acutus, which are primarily fish eaters. Normally an apex predator of this size would move away from human activities. These crocs, having been illegally fed for years as a tourist attraction, have been conditioned to seek humans out for food.
The ACES team, consisting of Vince and Cherie Rose, BFD Wildlife Officer Rasheda Sampson, and Crocodilian Parasitologist PhD Student Marisa Tellez, consider the capture to be a success and hope that these two animals are the last of the problematic crocs from direct illegal feedings. Both rescued crocodiles were transported to ACES in Punta Gorda and are adapting to their new environment. The ten-foot male crocodile was named ‘Fast Eddie’ after Eddie from Coastal Xpress who generously and quickly transported the crocodiles from Ambergris Caye to Belize City. The nine-foot plus female croc was named Xanadu in honor of Xanadu Island Resort who graciously donated lodging and transportation for ACES team.

Although the relocation is considered a success, removing the problematic crocs is just a band-aid to the situation. Ideally, the community needs to continue to work on not feeding these modern day dinosaurs by discouraging the illegal croc feedings and also by properly disposing of food wastes. These actions, combined with education, should in time allow humans to safely coexist with this extremely important species.

American Crocodiles are in threat of becoming endangered throughout their entire range. Found only in the Americas (North, Central and South), Belize is the last stronghold for this millions-of-years-old species. The destruction of mangrove nesting habitats due to development, low hatchling survival rates, and needless killings are causing the demise of these magnificent reptiles. According to ACES biologist Cherie Chenot-Rose, this area was their home first, and “Belizeans should be proud to share their heritage with these native animals.”

Working with the Belize Forest Depart, ACES has determined that in order to properly understand and manage the crocodiles in the area a population assessment must be conducted on Ambergris Caye. Not only will this study give an estimate of the number, size, and location of crocodiles on the island, but it will give a look at the health of the population as well. During recent relocation missions ACES has noticed that several of the large, wild crocs are lacking teeth and showing signs of illness. One of the crocs relocated to ACES from this most recent capture demonstrates the same signs of illness as ‘Bubbles,’ the croc from Ambergris Lake that died last month during a rescue attempt. “The community should be very concerned. When a species at the top of the food chain starts to become ill in the wild, something is very wrong in the environment,” stated Chenot-Rose.

Chenot-Rose will be in San Pedro the first week of August to raise funds for the population study. The proposal has been approved by the BFD; however, there are no funds available to cover the costs of such a study. “I intend to ‘beat the pavement’ so to speak with the proposal and am very confident that members of the community will realize the extreme importance of the study and show their support by donating to this pertinent Crocodile Conservation effort,” commented Chenot-Rose. “ACES long-term goal is to remedy the croc-human conflict on Ambergris by establishing a crocodile sanctuary on the island so that problematic crocs do not have to endure the stress of such a long transport. The sanctuary would not only provide a safe contained habitat for the problematic crocs right here on the island, but would provide a place for implementing an educational program at a facility where people could learn about the unique wildlife of the island. In addition, such a sanctuary would yield huge economic benefits to the community. The population assessment is the first step of this grand Crocodilian Conservation effort,” Chenot-Rose concluded. While here Chenot-Rose hopes to visit with the Mayor, the Chamber of Commerce and predominant community members.
ACES would like to thank the following for their generous support in the relocation of the two problematic crocs from WASA lagoon to ACES: Coastal Xpress, Xanadu Island Resort, Carts Belize, The San Pedro Sun, South Ambergris Caye Neighborhood Watch, Blanca of Xanadu Island Resort, Mr. Joe, Steve Lee, Mary, Alberto Lunez, Edwine Garma, Ali Gongorn and Captain Israel Esquivel.
For more information about the population study and/or project, or if you would like to arrange a meeting with Chenot-Rose while she is here in August please email her at acesnpo@hughes.net. For more information about ACES please visit their website at www.americancrocodilesanctuary.org

Wild Recon features Belize on Animal Planet

(l-r:Vince Rose, Donald Schultz, ACES Intern Marisa Tellez)

Belize has been in the spotlight in many international and well viewed programs. On Tuesday, January 19th, Belize was once again featured on The Animal Planet. As part of his ten episode animal adventure, South African Donald Schultz filmed his third episode of his Wild Recon show in two main areas of the country.

In Belize, Schultz set out on a dramatic search for deadly animals like crocodiles, howler monkeys, hawksbill turtles, sharks and rays, boa constrictors, rattle snakes and even tarantulas. In some instances blood or venom samples were retrieved from the animals. Schultz main purpose was to collect blood and tissue samples needed for research before these endangered animals disappear. Some of the animals were fitted with tracking devices which will alert Schultz headquarters in the case of poaching.

First Schultz headed into the dense rain forest canopy to track down one of the loudest animals in the world, the howler monkey which he described as “a critically endangered primate that is falling prey to poachers.” While in the deep forest of Toledo, Schultz stumbled upon a tarantula spider which was almost as big his hand. He proceeded to anesthetize the spider and with a tiny electric shocking device, Schultz managed to draw the spider’s rare and understudied venom. While Schultz came across and attempted to extract venom from a rattle snake, he was not as lucky it proved to be dry of venom.

His trip to Belize also took Schultz to Belize’s Barrier Reef. Along with his team, Schultz collected blood and tissue from nurse sharks, rays and even a juvenile hawksbill turtle (he was fitted with a tracking device). After days of several attempts, he finally got the opportunity to capture an American Crocodile. While in southern Belize, Schultz and his production team were hosted by the American Crocodile Education Sanctuary (ACES) in the Toledo District.

In an exclusive interview with The San Pedro Sun, ACES Founder and Crocodile Behaviorist Vince Rose explained that he was extremely pleased with the episode. “While the episode was not about ACES, I am happy that ACES got the exposure to help educate the world about American crocodiles and for that we are extremely pleased,” explained Rose. He added that, “a source of education is television through educational program such as Animal Planet. Donald Schultz’s Wild Recon episode definitely educated millions of people in the world about endangered animals and at the same time giving Belize a positive exposure.”

The episode was filmed in late July and early August mainly along Belize’s Barrier Reef and in the Toledo District. Rose concluded that Schultz expressed that not only was he satisfied and pleased about Belize, but is considering returning in the future.

Samples taken have been studied: the monkey turned out to be disease free, the shark and ray samples are now part of a global database that will be used to enforce anti-poaching laws, the spider turned out to be Citharacanthus meermani a newly described species of tarantula spiders and its venom is being analyzed by a Swiss pharmaceutical laboratory, while the croc remains safe at ACES and is being used for educational purposes.

ACES Intern Marisa Tellez assists Donald Shultz while taking a blood sample from an American Crocodile.

Holy Cross Croc Saved

(l-r) ACES’s Team Behaviorist Vince Rose, UCLA, PhD research student Marisa Tellez and Holy Cross manager Vernon Wilson.

Holy Cross Croc Saved
Submitted by Marine Biologist Cherie Chenot-Rose, ACES/American Crocodile Education Sanctuary

North of the cut on Ambergris Island, a five foot American Crocodile decided to take up residence in a shallow canal on the property of the managers of Holy Cross Anglican School, Francis and Vernon Wilson. Worried that the bold reptile would make a beloved pet its prey, the Wilson’s decided it needed to be removed. With the word out that a nuisance crocodile needed to be relocated, a few locals stopped by and offered to ‘off’ the cute little bugger for a price. Not wishing to harm the juvenile croc, the Wilson’s were put in contact with ACES / American Crocodile Education Sanctuary in Punta Gorda by wildlife advocate, Colette Kase. Being ACES is a non‐profit organization with limited funding, the Wilson’s graciously put the ACES’s Team up for the night, and the Holy Cross Anglican School donated funds to cover the costs of the crocodile’s relocation.

American Crocodiles are not only protected under the Belize Wildlife Protection Act (Chapter 220); but are also currently considered ‘Vulnerable’ by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and on a global level are facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.

ACES’s Team, Behaviorist Vince Rose, Biologist Cherie Chenot‐Rose and UCLA, PhD research student Marisa Tellez, arrived on the scene Tuesday, August 4th , at lunchtime and was fed a yummy, complimentary meal by the Holy Cross School. Setting up traps in the hot day’s sun, the team caught the croc by 5:00 pm in a snare type trap; and then, collected scientific data pertinent to the conservation of Crocodilians in Belize.

The captured croc was a female and name Alice E. after Francis’s mother. In the species Crocodylus acutus, American Crocodiles, the female is the more aggressive. This particular croc had taken up residence in the Wilson’s canal because the contained water had a lower salinity than the surrounding canals.With fresher water to drink and ample food sources, from not only the birds and fish but from the nearby workers, the croc was protecting her little water hole with all she had. This was truly one of the feistiest little crocs I have ever encountered. And, even though this croc was successfully relocated to ACES in Punta Gorda where she will be used in educational lectures on how to safely co‐exist with crocs, another croc will most likely move into her now vacant water hole.

It is important to understand that removing all the problematic crocs is not an answer to Ambergris’s ever growing problem of human‐croc conflicts. The answer to coexisting with these modern day dinosaurs is to recognize it is us, humans, who are the intruder and we need them more than they need us. The number one thing everyone can do to decrease the number of problem crocodiles is never discard food waste, especially chicken and fish scraps, into the waters. Everyone enjoys a free meal and will choose it over paying or expending extra energy.
Feeding crocodiles directly or indirectly by this manner is the number one cause of croc attacks and is illegal in Belize.

If you have small pets or children and you are living on a canal or lagoon front, a sea wall will assure protection from crocodiles coming into your yard. At times of mating and when dry seasons are extra dry, crocs will seek waterholes with a lower salinity than the sea. Even though American Crocs are a saltwater species and can excrete salt through a specialized gland on their tongue and through their feces, high continual concentrations of salt can be stressful on them, especially the young and nesting females. Normally, these crocs will drink fresh water from the thin layer of rainwater that being less dense lays on the surface of the saltier sea. This year, with as dry as it has been, this layer at times does not exist and the crocs will seek out pools, puddles and contained water areas for their lower salinity.

ACES would like to thank Francis and Vernon for their hospitality and the Holy Cross Anglican School for funding the capture. We praise their decision in taking the extra mile to save this highly threatened apex predator. So many people do not seem to understand the importance of crocodiles in keeping Belize’s ecosystems in balance. Not only do they feed upon small mammals and rodents that carry disease, such as raccoons, but they keep fish populations in balance and healthy as well. By reducing the numbers of apex predators, such as crocs, in an area, populations of their prey explode. This in turn leads to spread of disease and famines as prey consume all of the available food sources. In turn, the prey will eventually die off in mass numbers and habitats that once flourished with life will become vast wastelands. With only an estimated 10 to 20 thousand American crocodiles left world‐wide, ACES is making every effort to help preserve these magnificent reptiles for Belize’s future generations and to hopefully save them from extinction.

For more information about ACES please visit our website at www.americancrocodilesanctuary.org.