Adopt a Crocodile

Crocodiles are among the planet’s oldest predators, but even they are vulnerable to a changing world. They have survived for millions of years, but many species now face an uncertain future. Across the wider crocodilian family, 11 of the 25 species currently assessed are threatened with extinction, including seven classified as Critically Endangered. The destruction of rivers, wetlands and surrounding habitat is putting wild populations under increasing pressure. Crocodiles are also threatened by hunting, the illegal wildlife trade, egg collection and accidental capture in fishing equipment. Conflict with people poses a further risk, with crocodiles sometimes killed because of fear or where humans and wildlife depend on the same waterways. How your crocodile adoption helps overseas The Aspinall Foundation has worked with conservation partners to rescue and relocate crocodiles in South Africa, while protecting wild landscapes in Gabon that are home to rare crocodile species. In 2022, The Aspinall Foundation helped rescue two groups of Nile crocodiles in South Africa. Some had been left at the closed Seaview Predator Park, while others were being held in quarantine and needed safe, suitable new homes. The crocodiles were carefully transported in specially constructed crates. Six were returned to the wild at Lionspruit Reserve, while five were relocated to Kwa Madwala Private Game Reserve. The project gave 11 crocodiles the opportunity to leave captivity behind and begin new lives in protected natural environments, where they could once again play their part in a wild ecosystem. Protecting crocodiles in Gabon The forests, rivers and wetlands protected by The Aspinall Foundation’s work in Gabon are home to an extraordinary variety of wildlife. During a monitoring trips along the Mpassa River, our team find rare and critically endangered Central African slender-snouted crocodiles living within this protected landscape. By supporting rangers, habitat protection and wildlife monitoring, the project helps safeguard the waterways crocodiles depend upon, alongside gorillas, forest elephants and many other species. Adopt a crocodile with The Aspinall Foundation and help us rescue animals in danger, return them to protected wild spaces and safeguard the habitats crocodiles need to survive. Fun facts about crocodiles A crocodile’s eyes, ears and nostrils are positioned high on its head, allowing it to see, hear and breathe while most of its body remains underwater. Crocodiles continually replace worn or damaged teeth throughout much of their lives. The temperature at which crocodile eggs develop can influence whether the hatchlings are male or female. Mother crocodiles may guard their nests and respond when their young call from inside their eggs, helping to uncover the nest and move the hatchlings towards water. Crocodiles communicate using sounds, body movements, touch and chemical signals. Crocodiles are cold-blooded and rely on their surroundings to control their body temperature. They often bask in the sun to warm up or enter the water to cool down. Their powerful tails propel them through the water, allowing crocodiles to move quickly while keeping much of their body hidden beneath the surface.