Crocodiles (family Crocodylidae, Class: Reptilia) or true crocodiles are large semiaquatic reptiles that live throughout the tropics in Africa, Asia, the Americas and Australia. The term crocodile is sometimes used even more loosely to include all extant members of the order Crocodilia, which includes the alligators and caimans (family Alligatoridae), the gharial and false gharial (family Gavialidae) among other extinct taxa. The word crocodile comes from the Ancient Greek krokódilos (κροκόδιλος) meaning ‘lizard’, used in the phrase ho krokódilos tou potamoú, “the lizard of the (Nile) river”. Crocodile is a reptilian animal. It is found almost all over the world except Europe. Crocodiles originated about 17.5 crore years ago and it has been a part of biodiversity in different geographical location throughout the world. There are 23 crocodilian species under 3 families are found in the world.
Since, the crocodile is the most aggressive and ferocious animal, earning foreign currency through its commercial farming is undoubted quite an exceptional phenomenon. Despite being is a dangerous animal, crocodile farming has been started in our country, Bangladesh, under the initiatives of a private farm named Reptiles Farm Limited (RFL) The country’s first commercial crocodile venture, The Reptiles Farm Ltd. It is the first commercial producer of crocodiles in our country. This farm has been established in 2003, on 15 acres in Uthura, Under Bhaluka Upazilla, 14 KM from Mymensingh road. Planning of the farm was made by Mushtaq Ahmed and Mesbahul Haque, the founder chairman of the farm came forward as an investor and provides policy guidelines to the farm. Next, the farm was sold to Proshanta Kumar Halder in 2012. Though the farm is governed by the Honorable high court division which form a six-member committee in 2020 headed by prominent crocodile expert Mr Enam Hoque after involvement in the financial corruption of Proshanta Kumar Halder.
The farm is now home to more than 2,500 crocodiles. Generally crocodile breeds in the rainy season. I found there is some big crocodile in the closed water reservoir. They lay eggs after 7 days of mating. Every female crocodile lay 20 to 80 eggs. Generally, crocodiles do not lay eggs in the daytime. In most cases, they lay eggs in the dead of the night and all the eggs are laid in a day. Eggs are laid in a nest. They built their nest of soil, leaves and other vegetation. Sometimes they build two nests where one is false to bluff their enemies. Mother crocodiles protect their nest very aggressively. The female crocodile absorbs or destroys the eggs when the external environment is unfavourable.
The young crocodiles are being reared in temperature controlled chamber. Young crocodiles are very sensitive to the smell of humans. At least two certain persons are needed to supply feeds to the young daily. If the person is changed, they will stop feeding and will die. One-year-old young crocodile requires 20% feed of their total body weight per day. Minced beef or poultry is fed to the young. Adult crocodiles are supplied with cow meat, poultry meat and fish as their feed. 20% feed of their total body weight is supplied to the adult crocodiles one time per week.
Crocodile teeth, scrap hide and other by-products could be used to make fashionable commodities, garlands, ornaments, ornament boxes, wallets, showpieces and purses. Charcoal made from crocodile bones is used in manufacturing perfumes throughout the world.
There are few ponds where natural fish is cultivated and there is no crocodile in the pond. People can enjoy the moments during the visit. The place is full of natural beauty as the farm is located in a remote area and a healthy environment is still available. I found there is a garden area and the farm management is trying to decorate the garden by planting different kinds of flowers and trees. Many birds arrive there in the afternoon. There is a little reserve forest for birds.
The new management has taken the initiative to turn Reptiles Farm into an attractive tourism destination and within a few days they will build a resort and open it to all for a minimum charge of entry fee. I made a video of this Crocodile Farm during my Trip. The video link is given here.https://youtu.be/GFFa95cNi3Q
I was extremely enjoying the trip to the farm. The hospitality of farm management was so cordial and joyful. The trip was full of fun and excitement to see new things like a crocodile farm visit. The Farm is far from Dhaka about 100 km and about 4 hours to reach. Hope you will like Reptiles Farm Limited
That’s really courageous my freind!! 