Crocodile park catapults sanctuary to fame

S. Anil Radhakrishnan


First memorial in the world for Steve Irwin known for fearless handling of deadly wildlife species
Photo: C. Ratheesh Kumar
Hero in action: Steve Irwin’s plaque at the Crocodile Rehabilitation and Research Centre set up in his memory at Neyyar Dam. -
Thiruvananthapuram: The Neyyar wildlife sanctuary has drawn international attention with the opening of a Crocodile Rehabilitation and Research Centre in memory of Australian crocodile hunter and environmentalist Steve Irwin.
The centre is a feather in the cap for Neyyar Dam, which already has a lion safari park, deer park, boating facilities and one of the biggest landscaped gardens in the South. Forest and Tourism authorities hope that the centre would attract more tourists and animal lovers to Neyyar Dam, a favourite picnic spot.
Incidentally, this is the first memorial in the world for Steve Irwin who was known for his fearless enthusiastic handling of even the deadliest of wildlife species. The 44-year-old was killed by a stingray blow while filming a documentary on the Great Barrier Relief in September 2006.Set up by the Department of Forest and Wildlife at Markunnam in the sanctuary, a life-size plaque of Irwin with a crocodile greets visitors to the centre.
Minister for Forest Benoy Viswom inaugurated the centre in May by releasing two muggers.
But the centre was not immediately thrown open to visitors, as the work had to be completed and more muggers (Crocodylus palustris) were to be shifted to the centre.
With the shifting of 25 muggers from the adjacent crocodile farm, the Forest authorities have now thrown open the centre to the public.