ACES American Crocodile Education Sanctuary

Be sure to check out ACES three newest videos!

Especially a look back ACES most memorable moments in 2011, captured by good friend Tamara Sniffin of the San Pedro Sun and ACES.

'Give a Croc' this Christmas and Help Take a Bite Out of Extinction!

You can help save helpless crocs that are trapped and starving in polluted habitats.

Thank you for your support!

Cherie & Vince

To Concerned Residents and Resort Owners,

ACES is receiving complaints about the area into which we have been relocating problematic crocodiles. First, despite the rumors, ACES does not relocate problematic crocs into immediate residential areas, nor are we placing them in captivity and letting them escape. ACES hears and agrees with the relocation concerns one hundred percent and feels that the communities of Ambergris Caye need to come together to find the solution, hence a croc containment facility for education and tourism.

No matter if we took these crocs 100 miles away, it has been scientifically proven that they will normally return to where they came from originally. ACES has been providing a free community service of removing problematic crocs that are causing immediate danger to pets and people. We have been relocating these crocs to an area that is being proposed to become a wildlife sanctuary off of the public road leading into Grande Belize Estates Development where there are no immediate homes. For the record, there are only eight large repeat offending problematic crocs that we have relocated to the area north. Thus, we are re-capturing and relocating the same animals more than once, we are not bringing more crocs into the area.

The relocated crocs keep returning to their southern homes. American crocodiles are not only an endangered species, but a very important part of keeping the island's ecosystem in balance and cannot just "be killed." ACES has been suggesting an educational containment facility for over a year now and has even hand delivered proposals that are available for viewing at AmericanCrocodileSanctuary.org. We are a transparent non-profit organization and are willing to hold a public meeting and divulge our past years expenses, funding, and the estimated costs of the proposed educational tourist eco-attraction for the island.

Please call Vince at 631-6366 with suggestions and concerns. Vince is happy to meet with you in person at your convenience.

Sincerely,Vince & Cherie

Channel 5 and Channel 7 Cover the story of the Mass Morelet's Rescue.

Manny Thanks to all those involved!

Cherie

Photos by Wildlife Photographer Brandon Sideleau, Coming to ACES 'Croc Shop' for Christmas!

Crocodile...the mere word gives some people the chills, and the Ancient Maya associate the creature with the “Underworld.” The truth is, these ancient creatures that have survived for over 200 million years, through the ice age and the rise and fall of dinosaurs, are now in threat of becoming extinct due to mankind.

Currently, the number of croc-human conflicts Worldwide is on the rise. This is not because of an increase in the number of crocodiles, but because man is encroaching on the crocodiles’ habitats (homes) and illegally killing them for various reasons.

American crocodiles, found in North, South and Central America, are typically shy, reclusive and hardly ever seen by people. Except here in Ambergris Caye. Within the past week ACES/ American Crocodile Education Sanctuary has responded to two problematic crocodiles at Reef Village, two in South Ambergris Caye, and two cases in San Pablo where croc(s) attacked pets, one of which was unfortunately fatal. Not to mention, just this past August a full grown man narrowly escaped with his life when he was attacked by a large crocodile in the San Juan area.

So why is this normally elusive animal showing no fear of humans and attacking on Isla Bonita?

• People are still directly feeding crocs in some areas on the island. 
• All over the island, people are still indirectly feeding crocs by tossing fish and chicken scrapes into nearby waters. This attracts the croc’s natural prey, fish and raccoons. 
• People are indiscriminately, and often illegally, clearing and filling mangrove thus destroying and fragmenting crocodiles’ homes. This also brings crocs into a closer proximity to people. 
• People are still killing crocs out of fear or to sell croc parts illegally. The methods utilized contribute to crocodiles associating humans with food. 
• People are still catching crocs (particularly small ones) and trying to sell them illegally. “Pet crocs” re-released into the wild become the most dangerous apex predators. 

ACES research on the population of Belize’s crocodiles in Ambergris Caye is showing that the actual number of crocs is much lower than people think, and severely lower than what should be here to keep the complex web of life on Isla Bonita in balance. Being both predator and prey in the food chain, crocodiles play a most important role in keeping the island’s ecosystems and fisheries healthy. Through tagging, ACES is finding that some of the same crocs are roaming large areas of the island. So, people are just seeing the same crocs over and over and at different locations. Because Belize is considered the last stronghold for this species, this is very bad news for the survival of American crocodiles. If we kill off the crocodiles, we will kill off the fisheries.

What can you do to keep your loved ones safe and live safely with crocodiles?

• Never feed crocodiles – it is illegal and very dangerous. 
• Never swim in a lagoon at sunrise or sunset. These are the times of day when crocodiles feed. 
• When fishing be sure to stand back several feet from the shore. 
• Never clean fish or discard fish scraps near the water’s edge or at boat ramps/docks. Take your scraps back out to sea or dispose of properly. 
• Stay away from crocodile slide marks. Crocs may still be close-by. 
• Do not dangle your arms or legs over the side of a boat, including kayaks. 
• Never poke or harass a crocodile, even small ones or babies. The mother crocodile may be nearby. 
•  Be more aware of crocodiles at night. They are predators and do hunt on land as well as in water. 
• Report all human-croc illegal activities to ACES at 631-6366, the Belize Forest Department, or your local police department.

What is ACES doing to help you safely live with crocodiles?

• Voluntarily responding to all croc-human conflict calls Free of charge.
• Capturing, tagging and relocating problematic crocodiles. Please know that this is only a temporary fix. Most problem crocs will return or become someone else’s problem. Until funding comes through for a croc sanctuary here on the island to safely hold problematic crocs, relocating them is keeping people and pets in immediate danger safe. American crocodiles are protected Internationally, and killing an endangered species that becomes problematic because of man is deplorable. 
• Working on a proposal for a crocodile conservation program for the island to protect some crocodile nesting habitats and to safely contain large problematic crocodiles. Additionally, a portion of each years’ hatchlings (baby crocs) would be collected and reared in captivity to a healthy size, and then be released to ensure a proper balance of predators vs. prey in the island’s wetland ecosystem in order to maintain a healthy fisheries. 
•  Educating the public and children on crocodiles, their key role in the environment, and proper conservation methods. Do not be mislead when watching TV shows on alligators, such as the “Swamp People.” Even alligators are protected and it is illegal to hunt them without the proper permits. Their numbers are much greater than American crocodiles. With less than 10,000 left World-wide, Belize’s American crocodiles are as rare and as important as cuddly Polar Bears. 

To have ACES come to your school on Ambergris Caye starting Jan. 2012, as well as to find out how you can help take a bite out of extinction, please email Cherie at acesnpo@hughes.net.

Thank you for your support! Only by working together can we save wildlife for future generations.

Check out the short video of Cherie's favorite capture!

http://www.americancrocodilesanctuary.org/apps/videos/videos/show/14433753-my-favorite-croc-capture

Click here for the story & photos of this amazing crocodile!

ACES pleas for assistance today. While we have said that there needs to be an ACES on the island, we have been putting it on the back burner because of finances. Last nights rescue warrants the immediate need of a crocodile sanctuary here on the island. This croc's jaw was broken some time ago and has healed in the manner you see here. The 6 ft reptile was living under a resident's home. ACES rescued it last night. This croc need to be in captivity so that larger crocs do not kill it. It is slightly under weight but other wise healthy. The jaw is functioning and there is no signs of infection. This is yet another croc that had lost it's fear of humans do to either direct or indirect feeding.

ANYONE interested in a permanent educational Crocodile Sanctuary to be built on their land PLEASE CALL Cherie at 666-3871 or Vince at 631-6366. ACES will have fundraisers for construction costs, apply for grants, design the facility, educate staff, and care for the crocodiles. This facility is needed immediately for three reasons: 1. To house crocs, as this one, that are injured, ill, or problematic; 2. As a facility to treat crocs that can be rehabilitated and re-released; 3. As a holding area for large problematic crocs that will eventually be re-located to the new ACES in Ladyville.

Additionally, it would hold croc's that are confiscated until they can be re-released. And finally, it would be and educational place where people can come learn about crocodiles and croc conservation for self-sustainability.

You can also help by donating funds for the establishment of an ACES here on the island at americancrocodilesanctuary​.org

Thank you for your support!

Cherie & Vince

George is alive and well and enjoyed his special treat of a vitamin filled chicken. While not all the crocs were accounted for in the short amount of time Vince had at the old sanctuary, we believe most of them to be estivating with this extra dry hot year. The next visit will be the actual relocation of the crocodiles to the new facility, and I will see the carnage for the first time.