Snap chats: World’s leading crocodile experts meet in Kilkenny

By COLIN BARTLEY

REPTILE experts from all over Europe are snapping at each other’s heels to get to Kilkenny this weekend.

The 4th Annual European Croc Networking Meeting will be held at The National Reptile Zoo’s new premises on the Hebron Road in Kilkenny this weekend.

Now in its fourth year, the conference devised by the owner of the National Reptile Zoo James Hennessy, along with other crocodile conservationists across Europe, brings together experts in all fields of working with ancient reptiles for networking and collaboration purposes.

This year 70 delegates, among them students, zoologists and researchers, will descend on Kilkenny for a weekend full of events including examining crocodile conservation, husbandry, field research techniques, research and global opportunities working with the reptiles.

The conference gives people in the industry the opportunity to exchange knowledge and create contacts. Speakers from zoos and universities from the UK, Norway, Sweden and from the Crocodile research Coalition and projects in India, will be on hand to share their knowledge and experiences.

This year’s event is being held in the new National Reptile Zoo in the city, which is nearing completion. The state-of-the-art facility is being constructed using mainly sustainable, upcycled and recycled materials and when completed will be three times the size of the current facility in Gowran.

The conference begins this evening and runs until Sunday. For more information visit www.eurocrocnetwork.com