Belize croc tours also benefit endangered reptile

Plenty Magazine reports on crocodile-sighting tours in Belize where the tourist money also goes into research and saving the once-endangered reptiles:

"For the past five years, residents from Lamanai [Outpost Lodge] and scientists from the University of Florida have been tracking and monitoring the formerly endangered Morelet’s crocodiles. The mainly freshwater reptiles measure up to 14 feet, and are only found in Belize, Guatemala, and parts of Mexico. Researchers hope that the data they acquire will uncover more information about the creature, which scientists know little about."

Ironically the research could also open commercial exploitation on the crocs:

"Officials at the Forest Department say they haven’t made any decisions yet about commercial exploitation, but it is something they will consider when developing a management plan. 'What we are looking for is creating that proverbial human-croc ecological balance,' says Wilber Sabido, chief forest officer with the Forest Department."

Read the full story: Take a trip to Belize and save a crocodile