Crocodile Park

Crocodile Park or to give it its full title, Natural Park of La Vanille Reserve des Mascareignes, is located in the south of Mauritius. The park was opened in 1985 and occupies the valley of a former vanilla growing area. The site is the equivalent of a tropical rain forest with exotic palms, freshwater streams and local flora and fauna. The park is the brainchild of Owen Griffiths, an Australian zoologist and his Mauritian wife who discovered that the area was suitable for the farming of Nile crocodiles. The first crocodiles, one male and four females were imported from Madagascar and their offspring placed in heated indoor nurseries for one year before they were released into ponds.

The crocodiles are kept in secure enclosures, according to age, until they reach maturity. The site also offers a wide variety of other animals, including monkey, deer, giant tortoise, tenrec (from the hedgehog family), rabbits, bats, wild pig and a giant Telfair Skink making it a great tourist attraction. There is also an exhibition room containing specimens of Mascarene reptiles.

There is a car park, restaurant/snack bar on site.