Attractions Of Mahabalipuram: Madras Crocodile Bank Trust and Centre for Herpetology

Madras Crocodile Bank Trust and Centre for Herpetology

Short Overview:

The Madras Crocodile Bank Trust and Centre for Herpetology is one of the largest reptile zoos in the world and one of the oldest non government environmental organizations in Asia. The primary aim is to promote the conservation of reptiles and amphibians on the Indian subcontinent, but our inference is multidisciplinary and extends worldwide. For outdoor nature enthusiasts, the spacious Croc Bank grounds are covered by luxuriant coastal dune forest. It provides a haven for native wildlife, including large breeding colonies of water birds and a secure nesting beach for Olive Ridley Sea Turtles.

Long Overview:

The Madras Crocodile Bank Trust and Centre for Herpetology is one of the largest reptile zoos in the world. It is spread over eight and a half acres of land and is home to over 2500 reptiles. We give you an opportunity to have an interactive experience with the various denizens at the zoo. The Madras Crocodile Bank Trust and Centre for Herpetology (or Croc Bank) was the brainchild of the legendary Romulus Whitaker and a handful of like-minded conservation visionaries who began work on the facility in 1976, in a desperate effort to save India’s dwindling crocodile populations. Today, after more than 30 formidable years of cutting edge science and grassroots education, the Croc Bank remains a world leader in the field of Frontline conservation and the preservation of natural landscapes. 


The Croc Bank currently consists of a large reptile park near Chennai, Southern India, and several field projects located throughout the subcontinent reaching as far afield as the Nicobar Islands. The zoo sees close to half a million visitors per year, making it one of the most popular tourist attractions along the famous East Coast Road.

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