Volunteering at MCBT was a thrilling opportunity that I'm so grateful to have gotten. As a complete novice in the field of herpetology, my experience here taught me a lot about reptiles and the need for their conservation. Through presentations and talks with staff members I got to understand how different aspects of MCBT worked. Morning rounds with keepers followed by enclosure cleaning gave me an up-close look at the fascinating reptiles and what they need to survive. The project I participated in provided me with a great opportunity to understand the workings of animal behaviour research. Every single staff member was kind and helpful, willing to answer any question I had. The two weeks I spent here was an incredible adventure that I will never forget.

Nestled on the coast and surrounded by the sounds of peacocks and herons, this extraordinary haven is home to muggers, anacondas, komodo dragons, giant tortoises, and many more reptiles from around the world. It feels like a place straight out of a dream. During my 15-day volunteer experience, I had the privilege of working closely with these remarkable animals. From cleaning enclosures to sorting through 100 kgs of fish, I gained deep insight into the efforts behind creating a zoo that prioritizes enrichment even in captivity. The faculty’s sessions were ode to the organisation’s dedication to conservation research, and education. The akkas and annas shower you with warmth and affection and their daily hard work never fails to inspire. The knowledgeable and approachable faculty and the well-stocked library made sure my every question was answered. After a hard day’s work, winding down at the serene beach behind the cottages was the time I spent reflecting on the small role I was playing in this pioneering organization's mission. I leave with a heavy heart, an abundance of knowledge, and a fervent drive to make a difference.

My volunteering experience at the Madras Crocodile Bank was truly amazing. In just a few weeks, I experienced substantial personal growth, discovering capabilities I never knew I had. The knowledge I gained from engaging with both office and on-ground staff will undoubtedly benefit me professionally. The warmth and safety I felt during my time there will always stay with me. Working diligently throughout the day and unwinding on the beach in the evenings created lasting core memories. I would especially love to thank the team for this invaluable experience.

Volunteering at the Madras Crocodile Bank has been an incredible experience. As a veterinary student from the UK, I immersed myself in herpetology and learned so much from the dedicated staff. It was an honour working beside all of them. I'll always remember volunteering in the morning heat, enjoying delicious lunches, and returning to feed the crocs in the afternoon (a favourite task of mine!). Evenings at the beach were a perfect way to unwind. Special thanks to the vets for their guidance and insights into the life of a wildlife vet. This experience has left a lasting impact.

It was an absolute treat to interact closely and learn from the staff, reptile keepers, and the entire MCBT crew. Loads of memories made that I will cherish fondly. I found it extremely thrilling to be close to the reptiles. No words to describe the amount of joy and satisfaction derived from my time at the centre. Also, not to forget an excellent herpetology library that could rival the best collections.
Fav moment: Feeding catfish to the adult mugger cuties.

Of the many other lessons I learnt here, this was the most important one – learn what you can from the mainstream media but don’t let that be your image of what wildlife conservation is. Far from it, very few of the tireless efforts are ever reported or telecasted. I’m glad I chose the Croc Bank as one of my early Meccas for studying conservation because as great as the other places are, I’m sure they couldn’t match the amount of dedication, expertise and care the people who work here display. I only hope the places I visit next stand up to the high standards set by MCBT.

Croc bank is nothing less than a home, and everyone here is nothing less than a family. It turns out I am finding it hard to physically detach myself from this place, Mentally and emotionally I will always be attached and look forward to future associations. Volunteering at the croc bank has given me the confidence that I needed to go ahead and convert my passion towards a challenging career path.

Right from the day I began as a volunteer, MCBT grew on me, not just as a crocodilian gene bank or a public awareness zoo, but an entire, beautiful ecosystem in itself. Right from the staff to the animals to the volunteers to the visitors, every aspect of MCBT ties into one another, and like an efficient, healthy ecosystem, every one of us was essential to its health and sustainability.

The experiences I had here have contributed to my personality as well as shaping an idea on what I want to do professionally. I hope that I will be able to use all that I’ve learnt here in whatever I do later. I would like to thank everybody with whom I’ve worked with this past month, as they helped me have a safe and memorable time. I will keep in touch and look forward to any future interactions.

The MCBT campus itself is a dream for city living nature lovers. Apart from the animals on display, it’s home to many species of trees, bugs, birds, reptiles and amphibians. All in all, there are many words that I could use to describe my experience – immersive, educational, exciting, but I would hardly call it an act of bravery.

I’d like to say that the best part about volunteering is the way your whole perspective about reptiles and other animals in general, changes. You become more connected to them, and you realise that even though they might look scary on the outside, deep down they have a soul just like us. They are beautiful creatures, and I had the chance to learn so much about them. I’m thrilled I chose to volunteer here, and really grateful for all the good memories of this place that I’m going to cherish.

The consistent and coordinated efforts of all the people working here is an epitome of success, and I wish the Croc bank more growth and prosperity. I may be going back with a heavy heart but with massive respect for all the people working here striving to make the Croc Bank better every day.

The staff here are probably the best bunch of people I have met, they are literally mobile encyclopaedias on so many varied topics. The balance of professionalism and friendliness they exhibit is second to none.