Crocodile Rehabilitation and Research Centre

A crocodile farm was started at the site in 1977, accommodating around 44 mugger crocodiles. The number of crocodiles varies as muggers are raised and released to the Neyyar river and lake near the dam site.{{cite web |url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/2001/05/26/stories/0426404t.htm |title=People trap crocodile at Neyyar - India - The Hindu |publisher=hinduonnet.com |access-date=2011-04-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051208060612/http://www.hinduonnet.com/2001/05/26/stories/0426404t.htm |archive-date=8 December 2005 |url-status=usurped }} It also accommodates other reptiles like snakes that are caught straying at the tribal villages nearby for short periods before they are released back into the sanctuary, most recently an Indian Python.

Established in May 2007, the Research Centre was initially named the Steve Irwin National Park, in honor of the late naturalist Steve Irwin, who was known as "The Crocodile Hunter". Irwin was killed by a stingray barb, while filming a documentary in 2006.{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/2009/06/06/stories/2009060656400400.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109222330/http://www.hindu.com/2009/06/06/stories/2009060656400400.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-11-09 |title=Crocodile park sheds Steve Irwin's name |date=2009-06-06 |work=The Hindu |access-date=2011-05-26}}

The crocodile park was the world's first-known memorial honoring the sportsman. A life-size plaque depicting Irwin was placed by the Kerala Forest Department at the gate of the park (though it was removed later).{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/07/13/stories/2007071360160600.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070716051939/http://www.hindu.com/2007/07/13/stories/2007071360160600.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2007-07-16 |title=Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : Crocodile park catapults sanctuary to fame |date=2007-07-13 |work=The Hindu |access-date=2011-04-01}} The Centre was inaugurated by Benoy Viswam, the Forest Minister in the Government of Kerala.{{cite web|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2007-05-16/thiruvananthapuram/27876753_1_crocodile-hunter-research-centre-kerala |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120612050124/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2007-05-16/thiruvananthapuram/27876753_1_crocodile-hunter-research-centre-kerala |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-06-12 |title=Kerala croc park named after Steve Irwin |date=2007-05-16 |work=The Times of India |access-date=2011-05-26}}

In 2009, Irwin's estate sent a legal cease-and-desist notice to the park, alleging violation of intellectual property rights and instructing them to cease using Irwin's name and image without the consent of the estate.{{cite web|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-02-28/india/28024877_1_crocodile-hunter-steve-irwin-australia-zoo-terri |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120503102735/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-02-28/india/28024877_1_crocodile-hunter-steve-irwin-australia-zoo-terri |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-05-03 |title=Kerala gets notice for naming park in Oz croc hunter's name - India|date=2009-02-28 |work=The Times of India |access-date=2011-04-06}} This led to the removal of Irwin's name from the crocodile park. The picture engraved at the park's gate was also removed.{{cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_kerala-govt-removes-steve-irwin-s-name-from-croc-park_1262384 |title=Kerala govt removes Steve Irwin's name from croc park - India - DNA |publisher=Dnaindia.com |date=2009-06-05 |access-date=2011-04-01}}

In 2001, mugger attacks were reported on tribals living near the dam site. Studies conducted by KFRI found these to be isolated incidents resulting from abnormal behaviour of a minority of the mugger population.{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/2001/01/04/stories/0404404x.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304072731/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/2001/01/04/stories/0404404x.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-03-04 |title=Killer crocodile abnormal |date=2001-01-04 |work=The Hindu |access-date=2011-06-01}} A few weeks later an adult male crocodile accused of killing a tribal woman was trapped near the dam site.

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Category:Zoos in Kerala

Category:Tourist attractions in Thiruvananthapuram

Category:Nature conservation organisations based in India

Category:Crocodilians of Asia

Category:Wildlife rehabilitation and conservation centers

Category:Research institutes in Thiruvananthapuram

Category:Reptile conservation organizations

Category:1977 establishments in Kerala

Category:Organizations established in 1977

Category:Articles needing infobox zoo