Crocodile Farm El Cora
- Protection of a sustainable and delicious environment! |
By Silvia Álvarez – January 2007
|
 To get to know "tuerto", "adrián", "india" and "turquesa" should be on your itinerary of places to visit in the bay. These four companions of sharp smiles are the representatives of a worthy example of sustainable ecology; both pairs of crocodiles live on the “El Cora” crocodile farm where in addition to being an object of care and study, they also receive the visit of tens of tourists who enjoy their home as well as the delicious traditional recipes of the restaurant La Laguna.
Jose Santos, owner of the crocodile farm (with a permit from the Mexican Department of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources), has managed to combine, in a single place, an interesting concept of an Environmentally Orientated Place together with the exquisite cuisine of the dining room located at the same place, and thanks to the profits gained from the latter, he can maintain the conservation program, which includes the protection of birds, mangroves and crocodiles.
There are four saurian that coexist at the spring of water called “La Cortada” (the Cut) which is part of the lagoon, and which are the distinguished hosts of the place. "Adrian" is a majestic male example of 22 years sharing his territory with 18 year old "tuerto", both have as their respective couple the 16 year old "India" and the 15 year old "turquesa". By the way at the moment both females are in heat and a first brood is expected by August 2007.
These animals were captured in places proclaimed by man as his own, even though they are the millenarian habitat  of these fantastic descendants of dinosaurs, but in order to prevent danger for human as well as for the saurian the latter have been relocated to places like this crocodile farm, where they live in a natural environment.
The reservoir they find themselves in right now is big and is surrounded by a fence in order to prevent their escape, nevertheless, in it they can swim, explore, hunt and lie down to sunbathe in order to regulate their temperature, just as they would do it, if they were free.
They are the attraction of the site, nevertheless they are not the only thing that Jose Santos has on his mind for nature to contribute to this place because amongst his plans he wants to start the construction of a vantage point bridge over the central part of the lagoon, to create a special place for turtles and also to allocate a huge area for the  protection of birds. "We ask for an admission of $10.00 pesos to visit or if people prefer they can use this amount towards consumption in the restaurant. The profits go towards a fund used not only to maintain the crocodile farm but with it I also seek to carry out these projects" says Santos.
In order to encourage people to contribute to the care of the surroundings, dishes such as "crocodile shrimps" (charcoal barbecued, wrapped in bacon, filled with cheddar cheese and topped with a pineapple dressing) or "sarandeado fish" (with the original recipe from Nayarit) are offered in the La Laguna restaurant but you can also order fish fillet or sarandeado shrimps. When you try them, you will bless ecology!
The Crocodile Farm El Cora and the Restaurant La Laguna are located some 150 meters from Flamingos Golf course (the golf course distinguished by a huge golf ball), and you can get to the intersection of Mezcales, Nayarit from Puerto Vallarta or Nuevo Vallarta by bus and then from there take a ta xi.
If you go by car you will see a sign of the restaurant close by the Flamingos golf course on the west side. Follow the dirt road which is in good condition for approximately 2 kilometers passing right through nature which will bring you up to El Cora. The trip is well worth it and if you are a photography lover, feel free to stop the car as often as you like during your drive. Opening hours for the public are from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.
The food is prepared fresh every day, therefore it is recommended to a make reservation ahead of time, especially if you come with a large group. For more information call Jose Santos on his mobile phone at: 044 322 110 2577.
Happy New Year!
Silvia Álvarez
E-mail: silvialvarezb@yahoo.com.mx
Archives by date |
Current
Weather Report
