Seaway Serpentarium: Support

Please consider making a donation to help support these magnificent animals!

As we pointed out previously (please see 'Our Mission'; 'Our Vision') the work of the Serpentarium celebrated many accomplishments over the years, with both the animals and the public. Yet there could have been many more, especially with the crocodilians. Let's look at one example to illustrate the situation: If not the largest, certainly one of the largest species of crocodiles is the Orinoco Crocodile (Crocodylus intermedius). Certainly the rarest species of the group. Compare it to the Great Panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) - a decidedly more popular, so called 'easy welfare' species (cuddly, cute, appealing etc.). Huge sums of money are being applied towards panda-related programs. It is the poster boy for anything Chinese; the logo of I.U.C.N. (International Union for the Conservation of Nature). Poaching it carries the death penalty in China. The Orinoco Crocodile, on the other hand, enjoys none of these perks. Almost extinct in Colombia, small population barely surviving in Venezuela; lives nowhere else. Efforts to preserve it are sporadic, subject to cancellation during political upheavals. It's extinction seems inevitable; its fate might be sealed during 1 bad year. Nobody pays much attention (and funds) to the Orinocos. Yet there are more than 1/2-dozen Great Pandas for each Orinoco Crocodile.

In a microview this situation is mirrored in Welland. Of the little more than 1/2-dozen Orinoco Crocs in captivity world-wide probably the largest, magnificent pair of these great predators can be seen in our Collection. A 14-foot male and 11-foot female with a combined weight 1 ton-plus. The Serpentarium went out of its way to preserve these jewels in their 20-year history in Welland. At one point there was even an attempt to have them euthanised because they were not vacating precious retail space fast enough. Although that barbarism was stopped and we got them out of danger's way, it happened right after a full month of their first matings and the female likely absorbed her eggs. She laid a 40+ clutch a year later and then 3 more times - all duds. For a good reason. Our pair of Orinocos is kept in a large enclosure by most standards but not by Orinoco's. Following their emergency move from the Mall we were unable to re-create the much larger tank they lost to the wrecking ball (space, remember?) and in the best we could give them we had to errect a partition soon after moving them in. Crocodiles are fiercely territorial in general and in our observation and comparison with other species Orinocos are still a notch above the rest. So it is now the case that this pair that could be contributing a significant percentage to the world's population of this critically endangered species year after year is glaring at each other through a fence, the girl delivers one clutch of infertile eggs after another and everyone seems to be OK with it. We initially thought this was going to be a short-term improvization. Surely something positive was going to happen, somebody was going to get off his pot. That was 11 years ago - and counting. Nobody cares about the Orinocos. And if, then not in a positive way.

We have picked one example - the most appalling - for many similar scenarios.

The Serpentarium and its Collection need your help. Now.

Please consider making a donation to help support these magnificent animals!

There must be people alive who are not indifferent to the plight of vanishing predators that may not be panda-cute but are even more impressive. And perhaps there is a culture-savvy crowd for whom even venomous snakes are not off limits for they, too, are an important part of the biodiversity of our ecosystem. Collectively, the educational trail should be equally appealing across the board.

The Serpentarium is nearing the exhaustion of its funds so it may not be even possible to maintain status quo. Should that happen 26 years of globe-trotting as well as local efforts could go down the drain amazingly fast. We don't want to think what would happen to the hundreds of animals in our care. It almost happened before but we were able to thwart it - something we will not be able to afford any more.

The Serpentarium is open to financial contributions and - suggestions. While we think we have the right idea someone may come up with something better. In a way it is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for creative, enterprizing minds to have their say or even their hand in a specialized ZOO.

Above all, however; the Seaway Serpentarium needs funds. Be it smaller amounts to help offset the multi-thousand burden we have to pitch in every month; or be it a substantial, all-changing generosity. You may use our PAY-PAL connection for your convenience or you may send cheques to our address (made out to the Seaway Serpentarium). And of course, you may contribute in person. Either way you will be welcome to see first hand how your assistance is being spent. Should distance be a problem we will keep you posted by means of updates on this website or regular mail.

For more information please e-mail, phone or send in your inquiries to:

Seaway Serpentarium
9 Steel Street
Welland, Ontario
L3B 3L8
Canada

Phone: (905) 735 1436
Fax: (905) 732 2902
E-mail: info@seawayserpentarium.com

On behalf of the animals and staff of the Seaway Serpentarium, thank you.

Please consider making a donation to help support these magnificent animals!