Trunkline Magazine (Louisville Zoo) June 2018 | Page 13

You
HELP
Save
ANIMALS
CrocFest
Leading the charge for saving
the Cuban crocodile, one of the
world’s most critically endangered
crocodilians, is the Louisville Zoo’s
own Curator of Ectotherms, Bill Mc-
Mahan, the national Species Survival
Plan (SSP) Coordinator for Cuban
crocodiles. To help these crocodiles,
McMahan has traveled to their na-
tive territory — the swamps in Cuba.
In his travels, he has had to deal with
trees more toxic than poison ivy,
huge mosquitoes, biting flies, razor-
sharp limestone rocks hidden in
murky water and quicksand that had
to be crossed in dashes to avoid sink-
ing. No obstacle is too great to keep
Bill from helping these endangered
reptiles. On a return trip to Cuba, he
traveled with our former education
Curator Marcelle Gianelloni, who
lived in Havana through her teens,
to spend time with teachers and
students helping them to understand
the important role of the Cuban
crocodile in their region and how
they could help protect it. While en-
vironmental education is part of the
(Above) Bill McMahan (hat)
treks through the swamps of
Cuba for crocodiles
(Right) At night, Bill works
with team of Cuban
biologists by lantern
curriculum in all Cuban schools,
the crocodile had received little at-
tention. This is an important step in
conservation efforts for any animal,
as helping local residents come to
value a species as a biological and
economic resource increases the like-
lihood of its survival. More recently,
Bill serves on the International Union
for the Conservation of Nature
(IUCN) Crocodile specialist group and
completed a report about the Cuban
crocodile population which will be
used by the IUCN as they monitor
the status of Cuban crocodiles.
The Louisville Zoo was also a
sponsor of the Winter CrocFest
2017 in St. Augustine, Florida, a
special event that raised funds for
the Cuban crocodile. CrocFest is a
social gathering of environmental
stewards that have crocodil-
ians as a common interest. Over
the years, this event has raised over
$281,000 to fund more than 12
projects in over a dozen countries. A
comprehensive conservation project
has been proposed which involves
reintroducing Cuban crocodiles
produced in managed environments
into safe, remote areas of Zapata
Swamp (areas with no people) to
boost the crocodile’s population.
The reintroduced animals will be
monitored to determine how they
adjust to their new environment. In
addition, the issue of poaching will
be studied to determine the best
strategy to combat this threat.
The next Crocfest will take place
on June 20, 2018 in Kenansville,
Florida. For more information
visit crocfest.org.
Did you know
Cuban Crocodile at Louisville Zoo
Twenty-five cents from every Louisville Zoo gen-
eral admission ticket and one dollar from every
membership goes to conservation. Collectively, these
quarters and dollars can make a huge impact! Just by
visiting the Zoo or becoming a member, you play an important part
in helping vital conservation efforts around the world.
Reptiles need our help! Globally, 989 species of reptiles, or al-
most 20 percent of evaluated species, are endangered or vulnerable
to extinction. The Louisville Zoo is home to some of these endan-
gered reptiles including the critically endangered Cuban crocodile.
Louisville Zoo Trunkline • Summer 2018 • 13