ACES American Crocodile Education Sanctuary

Be sure to go to ACES photo page and check out George here moving into his new home.

ACES went to Ambergris over the weekend to possibly rescue three large problematics crocodiles. The one in Belize must have moved on, because it could not be found. The croc problem on Ambergris by the police station was investigated. ACES Team did see the crocodile; however, it acted like a crocodile should and steered away from us. We enticed it with a chicken and although curious, it was still very leery. Then it took off and hid. This crocodile has eaten a dog; however, it did not show signs of being fed nor being dangerous. There was a lot of garbage nearby and most likely the croc, being attracted by the scent of rotting food waste, ate the dog while it was eating the garbage. We all must work hard on keeping food waste away from waterways. And, here's a link to the story on third problematic crocodile, which was problematic and ACES successfully caught: Problem Croc Removed from Local Lake

A bright new bird chirping morning it is in the jungle here in PG, but a very sad one too. Ripley, the tortured croc ACES and the BFD rescued from Corozal, will have to be euthanized today. The stress he endured along with the severity of his injuries has caused him to contract septicemia. Ripley is now suffering and death is inevitable. ACES takes condolence in knowing that at least Ripley got to spend his last few weeks swimming around and interacting with other crocs, as opposed to dying chained to a tree in the surf as a spectacle. Although he is very sick, he still kept his individual croc personality. Few got to see him, and those that did felt his anguish and prayed he'd recover. One could look beyond Ripley's 'empty eyes' and actually see the life he so effortlessly tried to cling onto, making one feel the need inside them to be alive. The question we here at ACES now have to ask ourselves, are we holding onto him for his benefit of survival or for our undefinable reasons of selfishness? It is time to say goodbye to one of Gods's dearest creatures and hope and pray that his strength to survive can teach the people of Belize how fortunate they are to have this magnificent species in their waters and to take pride in all the wildlife that is found here; for each species, however minute or dangerous, plays a vital role in their very existence by keeping Belize's precious environment in balance. ACES asks that everyone who reads this, no matter what country you live in, take a moment today to stop for one minute and take in this amazing World we live in; and how just like Ripley, no matter what bad we do to it as humans, it struggles to survive to keep us alive. And remember, that if we don't start changing our behaviors collectively to treat it with more pride, someday, it to will no longer exist. Rest in peace dear friend Ripley. 

Due to being unequipped to properly tend to the severity of Ripley's injuries combined with the exhausting searching of relatively minimal funding available for crocodiles (which I attribute to their lack of fur), ACES is willing to try to start a modern facility in Punta Gorda to treat wildlife and local pets, a HUMANE Society. ACES owners will give the use of a personally owned concrete building in PG Town toward the cause if we can get enough supports to make this facility come true. If humanity to animals is the lesson of this story, let's start with all the neglected pets due to poverty and flat out lack of availability of assistance and materials. And once such a facility is in place, then someday it may also save the life a wild croc, or a wild fox like Foxie. 

Thank you, with all our aching hearts at ACES, to all of you who assisted with Ripley's rescue, the rescues of all the crocs here at ACES, and all of you who support and have assisted directly and indirectly with ACES's Croc-Crusade. 

I now must go and perform a necropsy.

Hi All,

Sorry I've been slacking on ACES's Croc Blog. I herniated a couple discs and Vince was bitten by a venomous spider and had sever skin narcosis. He was treated by a bush Doctor, I opted for modern medicine; but we both are fine and healing fast. Here's a link to ACES's latest: Ripley's Last Chance  and you can click on ACES's News to see what all else ACES has accomplished.

Click ere to See Why Americen Crocodiles in Belize Need Your Help!

ACES / American Crocodile Education Sanctuary is permitted by the Belize Forest Department and rescues problematic, and inhumanely and illegally kept crocodiles country-wide. These rescued crocodiles currently need a larger habitat. These problematic 12 foot crocodiles cannot be re-released, because they have been fed by humans. Just like bears, these apex predators now seek out humans as a food source and their only other alternative is to be killed. ACES houses these large reptiles to help save this threatened species from extinction and in hopes of aiding researchers in finding cures for diseases. In laboratory studies, Crocodilian blood kills HIV and Herpes simplex. So contact ACES today and learn how you can help 'Take a Bite Out of Extinction!

Click here to see the video!

This one year old American Crocodile was rescued from sure death. Found injured and starving on the Rio Grande River in Belize, TIDE Rangers caught the little hurt croc and transported it to Belizes first and currently only Crocodile Sanctuary, ACES / American Crocodile Education Sanctuary in Punta Gorda. Ace was treated for its injuries and force fed till it regained strength and began eating on its own. Every evening Vince & Cherie sit outside with Ace and watch the croc attempt to try to catch shrimp. Completely blind in one eye, Ace is only successful as long as the prey are in a contained area small enough that the croc doesnt have to expend too much energy to finally have a successful catch. Then one evening while sitting outside with Ace, our friend Maya started making hatchling noises. To everyones surprise, Ace began to talk back to her! Their croc talk went on for hours through the evening. Now, every evening while we set outside to watch the sunset over the Rio Grande and Vince & I start talking about our day, Ace joins right in on the conversation.

Truly an amazing little croc Ace is very special and about to make history. Not only does Ace chat with you, but Ace has been chosen to travel to the USA to become and Ambassador of Crocodilian Conservation in Belize. The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm in Lake Forest, Illinois, has agreed to welcome Ace to their fabulous educational facility. Currently, CITES permits are in progress for the extraordinary animal to be shipped across country and state boarders.

More information about Ace can be found at this years Reptile Rampage held by WDC at Lake Forest Recreation Center Gym, 400 Hastings Road, Lake Forest, IL 60045, on Sunday, March 14th. You can continue to follow Ace, the baby American Crocodile, on its courageous journey from Belize to the USA through ACES website at www.americancrocodilesanctuary.org. If you would like to help Ace or other rescued crocodiles, contact Cherie at acesnpo@hughes.net. You can even visit and chat with Ace this coming spring at the Wildlife Discovery Center.

Ace, the crocodile that was found injured and starving, is eating shrimp and insects galore. Barely able to hold up its own head a few weeks ago, the hatchling (now about 7 months old) is fiesty as ever. Although it will never be able to see out of its right eye, the injury is healed with no further signs of infection.

Paperwork and permit applications are in the hands of the BFD and CITES to hopefully transport this American Crocodile to the Wildlife Discovery Center in the USA. The Wildlife Discovery Center is a combination of a zoological institution that specializes in reptiles and raptors/birds, nature center, museum and biological station all wrapped into one of the most unique facilities of its kind.

Rob Carmichael, the Curator, is currently raising funds to transport the rescued croc, named Ace, from ACES in Belize to the Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farms in Lake Forest, Illinois. ACES is really excited about this International partnership. Once in the US, Ace will be on display to raise awareness about crocodile conservation in Belize and the importance of these apex predators in the World's ecosystem.

To learn more about the Wildlife discovery Center check out Rob's interview on the news!

This helpless little American Crocodile, named 'Ace,' was rescued by TIDE Rangers and is currently being rehabilitated here at ACES.  Due to the extent of the croc's injuries, having been completely blinded in its right eye and paralyzed in its right nostril which restricts its breathing, Ace's only hope of survival is in captivity. ACES’s newest partner, The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm in Illinois, has offered to adopt and care for Ace. Recognized as one of the top Wildlife Conservation Education Facilities by the USA National Wildlife Federation, the Wildlife Discovery Center (WDC) is run through the City of Lake Forest Parks and Recreation Department. With CITES import and export permits already applied for, WDC is trying to raise funds to cover the costs of Ace’s trip to the USA. Once Ace safely arrives at WDC, this highly threatened animal will help teach children and adults the importance of apex predators, like crocodiles, in the World's ecosystems while raising funds for crocodilian conservation efforts in Belize. So check back here at ACES’s Croc Blog and ‘Follow Ace’ as ACES and WDC work together in efforts with the Belize Forest Department to raise International awareness of the importance of Saving Our Species (SOS)!  Join the efforts by contacting ACES or WDC and help take a bite out of extinction!