Changes

Croc Farm

3 bytes removed, 15:38, 4 February 2013
no edit summary
'''The zoological and botanical park ''Croc Farm'' is located in a valley just ten minutes by car along a bumpy road coming from Ivato Airport. Spanning three hectares, this lush green oasis is ideal for day trippers from Tana or an entertaining pastime before entering the planecatching a flight.'''
[[File:Croc Farm 001.jpg|600px]]
Croc Farm is one of the most visited private parks in Madagascar. Visitors Not only can not only visitors observe crocodiles (, as the name indicates), but also some 80 animal species and various plants and flowers growing on from Madagascar. Amongst others, trained Trained guides will show visitors among others the smallest chameleon in the world, free-living [[Coquerel's sifaka|Sifaka]] lemurs, [[fossa]], snakes, frogs, parrots and turtoises.
{| class="imageTable"
|}
However, the The main attraction are however the huge Nile crocodiles, the biggest predator of Madagascar. Hundreds of crocodiles can be seen lazing in the sun at the shores of a lake. The best time to see the crocodiles in action is during feeding time (Wednesday, Friday and Saturday around 1pm). The Croc Farm also informs its visitors about the serious threats the few wild-living crocodiles face in Madagascar and about various legends that surround those these impressive reptiles.
The restaurant ''Coco d'Iles Taverne'' situated next to the lake serves all kind of crocodile specialties, such as Croc Burger (15.000 Ariary) and grilled croc meat on a stick (15.000 Ariary). For those who do not want to try something new, there are also various croc-free and vegetarian dishes availablemeals on the menu.
{| class="imageTable"
|}
The crocodiles at Croc Farm are raised for leather and meat. ''Reptel'', the company behind the Croc Farm, is for more than since over 20 years breeder, producer and exporter of Nile crocodile skins for luxury leather goods. Today, ''Reptel Madagascar'' is today one of the few enterprises worldwide, which integrate perform the entire production process from collecting the collection of crocodile eggs to the final production of fine leather goods. The production cycle is divided into four steps: 1) the collection and incubation of the eggs, 2) the first growth phase of about six months, 3) second growth phase until slaughtering depending on the size of the skin and 4) slaughtering and processing before export or local tanning. As of 2007, the tanning process is done 100% vegetable. Reptel has its own brand of leather goods, that are designed and produced at in their own workshops. Fine Reptel leather products, such as handbags and belts, can be obtained bought at the souvenir shop directly at the Croc Farm, or at the Reptel shop in [[Hotel Carlton]] in [[Antananarivo]] as well as in the duty free zone of [[Ivato International Airport|Ivato Airport]].
{| class="imageTable"
|}
The Croc Farm is open daily from 9am to 5pm. The entrance fee for tourists is 10.000 Ariary (2012) and for Malagasy 5.000 Ariary (2012). The guides inside the park may expect a small tip. Children under eight years are can enter free of charge.
<googlemap version="0.9" lat="-18.785478" lon="47.463502" type="satellite" zoom="17" controls="large">
Tel: +261 (0)22 03071<br>
View all [[Croc Farm photos]]
  <!----  
'''Aborigine legend about crocodiles'''<br>
"Many legends and myths about crocodiles are told by Aborigines of Australia's tropical north. Some of these legends concern the beginning of the universe. According to an ancient legend in the native Aboriginal Gunwinggu language of Arnhem Land, the todays Liverpool river was created by a large ancestral crocodile. This crocodile came from inside the earth beyond the mountain ranges and headed for the sea chewing the earth in its path and leaving deep furrows, which were filled with water to form the river Liverpool."
<!--(Beaucoup de mythos et de légendes portant sur les crocodiles son racontés par les Aborigenes du Nord tropical de l'Australie certaines de ces légendes concernent le commencement de l'univers. Suivant un récit des Gunwinggu de la terre d'Arnhem, ce que l'on appel aujourd'hui Liverpool river fut creé par un grand crocodile ancestral, qui sortit de l'intérieur des terre audelá des chaines de montagnes et se dirigea vers la mer machant la terre sur son chemin et y laissant de profonds sillons, qui s'emplirent d'eau pour former le fleuve Liverpool.) -->