Reptile farm pioneers crocodile farming

SUNDAY, 14 NOVEMBER 2010

Reptiles Farm Limited (RFL), the first commercial producer of Crocodylus Porosus (saltwater crocodile) in Bangladesh even South Asia. According to media, Reptiles Farm Limited is the pioneer of crocodile farming in South Asia. The aim of the company is to produce commercially and display Bangladesh’s largest reptile in a sustainable manner, while protecting and promoting Bangladesh's wild crocodile population. “In June2010 the firm has exported 67 crocodiles of different sizes, small to large in Germany” said Md. Nasir, production assistant of Reptiles Farm Limited.
“University of Heidelberg, Germany imported those crocodiles in order to conduct its research functions” Nasir added. He also said that per KG crocodile meat is about US$ 200, while an infant crocodile is predicted to sell $700 to $1,200 in international market.
Referencing Mushtaq Ahamed, managing director and CEO of the firm, Nasir said that the farm has an aim to export over 5,000 pieces of crocodile skin annually to earn US$ 5.0 million by 2015.
The firm was established at Hatiber village under Bhaluka upazila in Mymensingh district on a land of 15 acres.
The crocodiles are fed up with meats of animals. While providing meat to crocodiles, food server calls a unique word and immediately crocodiles come up to have their food.
Reptiles Farm Limited does not take any crocodiles from the wild and fulfils the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources) and CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) criteria for self contained breeding farms. Mesbahul Hoque, chairman and founder of Reptiles Farm Limited is a business graduate, who worked in multinational and national pharmaceutical companies at director and managing director level with top management experience of more than two decades.
Mushtaq Ahmed, managing director and chief executive officer of Reptiles Farm Limited is the architect of this business plan. After earning his degree in commerce and working as an assistant manager at a tea plantation, he received professional training in management from England. He has wide administrative experiences in different sectors including tourism, United Nations and IT companies in mid and top-level positions.
He is also member of Crocodile Specialist Group (IUCN-SSC).
Mr. Geoff McClure, Consultant of RPL has a career spanning of over thirty five years in teaching, private enterprise and management, with a strong focus on the environment. He achieved considerable recognition in habitat regeneration, with emphasis on riparian and aquatic ecosystems. He is competent in wildlife park design and landscaping, and managing a construction site for tourist attractions.
He has a specific interest in the management of crocodiles, both captive and wild.
He has extensive contributions to crocodile management through various committees.