Sarasota Jungle Gardens is hosting an event to raise money for the Crocodilian Conservation Center of Florida, Inc. (CCCF). All proceeds raised for the event will be donated to CCCF for the construction of a zoological facility to house endangered and critically endangered crocodilians. The facility, located on 16 acres of land in Polk county, is being constructed in line with the American Zoological Association’s (AZA) Species Survival Plan. The CROC AID event includes a “Meet ‘n Greet” with international crocodilian experts, crocodilian photo opportunities, appetizers and a live auction. Crocodilian experts include Avishka Godahewa from Sri Lanka, Robinson Botero-Arias from Colombia, and Bruce Shwedick from the United States. Dr. Heather Blackall from Ocean & Daughter Conservation Alliance also will be in attendance. The purpose of the CCCF is to provide safe and secure housing for endangered crocodilians. These species include the West African Slender-snouted crocodile, the Tomistoma, the Cuban crocodile, the Siamese crocodile and the Chinese Alligator. Established in 2011, the CCCF is a 501-C-3 Florida nonprofit corporation. 

Croc Aid will take place November 9, 5:30pm – 9pm. Tickets are $25.00 for adults and $15.00 for college students with a valid ID. Tickets for the event include all day admission to Sarasota Jungle Gardens. Guests over 21 years of age are also asked to bring a bottle of wine for the Meet ‘n Greet segment of the program. Donations of natural history related items for the event live auction such as books, wildlife photography or artwork are also welcome. George Godycki, Ringling College instructor and illustrator, will be creating a painting live at the event for the Croc Aid auction.

Learn more about the CCCF and the world's endangered crocodilians here.