ACES American Crocodile Education Sanctuary

ACES's STUDENT RESEARCH STUDY in BELIZE

ACES's Student Research Program provides the unique opportunity to experience life in a real neo-tropical rainforest while you study on a daily basis both wild and captive crocodiles. One on one, you will be training alongside Biologist Cherie Chenot-Rose and Apex Predator, Wildlife Behaviorist Vince Rose while assisting with evening spot light surveys, local Ranger patrols, capture and release of wild crocodilians for tagging and pertinent data collection and help with croc rescues and relocations. You will learn proper handling of various sizes of crocodiles, accurate scientific measuring methods, such as SVL (snout-vent-length), hands on sexing techniques and kind reptile tagging. Observe first hand Crocodylus acutus courtship and mating behaviors in January/February and hatchings in early June.

Accommodations are solar and eco-friendly with fans, hot and cold running water, private full bath rooms and full kitchens equipped with all the cooking utensils you'll need including butane oven ranges and full size refrigerators. (See Croc-Cabanas under Accommodation.)

Expenses excluding airfare, $1,800US placement donation per student for a 12 day study program or $3,300US per student for a 24 day study program is required. Maximum of 5 students per session. Includes lodging, free local use of a community 4wd vehicle during your stay, crocodile research river excursions, and professional training. Meals are at student’s expense. One hundred percent of funds are utilized for the preservation of Belize’s American Crocodiles. ACES encourages students to seek grants. Those interested in Independent Research only, contact ACES for pricing.

Located in southern Belize, ACES is on the Rio Grande River and less than a mile from the Caribbean Sea. Permitted by the Belize Forest Department, ACES’s 20 acres of Red Mangrove and Broadleaf Rainforests are teeming with wildlife, including troops of Black Howler Monkeys, Baird’s Tapirs, Kinkajous, Jabiru Storks, Keel-billed Toucans, Tarantulas, Green Iguanas, the exclusive Jaguar, exotic snakes including Fer-de-lances and Boas, insects galore and numerous species of Orchids. The pristine jungle sanctuary is only 15 minutes by road or by boat from Punta Gorda, the Toledo District’s Capitol and melting-pot of Belize’s cultures. Also nearby is the tip of the World’s second largest barrier reef the Sapodilla Cayes, Mayan ruins, National Parks with spectacular waterfalls and the Western Hemisphere’s largest cave system. ACES gives you the opportunity to explore all of Belize at your own leisure and budget. Independent Researchers are Welcome!

Students are video taped handling secured crocs at ACES, so that they can review their techniques and learn from their own mistakes before they are allowed to assist in a wild capture. DVD's are recorded to send home.

Come to ACES to Study Belize’s Flora & Fauna

You Can Help Take a Bite Out of Extinction!

Biologist Cherie Chenot-Rose / Wildlife Behaviorist Vince Rose

Email: acesnpo@hughes.net

011-501-665-CROC (2762)

Returning UCLA PhD Student, Zoologist & Croc Parasite Specialist

PhD Research Student Marisa Tellez from the University of California, Los Angles (UCLA), Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology was looking for an opportunity to study crocodiles, as well as help in their preservation.

Marisa quotes, "I guess you can say I'm grateful for Google, because if it wasn't for Google, I may have not found both you and Vince. The both of you are so amazing and I learned so much. I had some of the best experiences in my life and I wouldn't trade the world for sharing those experiences with anyone else. Both of you need to realize that what you are doing is incredible, and it won't only affect Belize, but the world as well. Your talents and hard work will pay off. And not only have I increased my knowledge in the art of croc capture, but I also made some incredible friends as well."

She spent fourth months at ACES research facility as a PhD Biology student learning how to properly care for, handle, sex and collect data on crocodiles. With her emphasis in Crocodilian Parasitology and Immunology, she was able to collect data pertinent to her field of interest.

During Marisa's stay she not only learned to how wrangle 8 foot crocs but had an opportunity to give public presentations, teach school groups, assist with crocodile rescues, collect field data, accompany local rangers on river patrols, and still find the time to visit all the districts of Belize and become a certified diver. Marisa has retuned and intends on returning again to continue her Crocodilian Parasite PhD Research.