A crocodile haven

Immobilising fear of the unknown and its perceived attendant perils scare all but the brave in venturing to this back of beyond place, where living, the owner reveals, is not for the faint-hearted.

Crocodiles are predators, with the distinction of being the largest and most feared of all reptiles – with the most powerful bite in the animal kingdom.

We cannot allow apprehension to frustrate our adventure to this dwelling space. Together we must face our fears and overcome them. Not all crocodiles are hungry man-eaters, like the aggressive, deadly, Nile crocodile. This crocodilian species in Jamaica is extremely docile and quite shy. Although potentially dangerous, don’t provoke them, and they will leave you alone.

Today’s seemingly forbidding home is surrounded by a staggering number of 180 crocodiles, crawling and swimming everywhere. It’s positioned at the most easterly section of the island, on a one-acre plot, entirely invisible amidst 2,400 acres of the old Holland Bay Sugar Estate, in St Thomas.

This is a wildlife conservation sanctuary for our critically endangered, American crocodile native species. Incidentally, the crocodile symbolically dominates the top of our national Coat Of Arms.

He is fittingly epitomised as the ‘Croc Whisperer’, the unique, intuitive ability to communicate with them and understand their behaviour. He was born in Kingston, studied biochemistry in England, and has faithfully pledged 40 years of his life to the prevention of the extinction of the said species – unfortunately, even at the expense of a marriage.

Meet Lawrence Henriques, a crocodile conservationist who designed and built this habitat for both himself and his crocs (Sasha, Pirate, Max, Triple X, etc), to co-exist in harmony and purpose.

It was effectuated from the initial jungle-esque environs, with the house, chain–link fenced ponds (for breeding and nesting areas), and tanks with swarming baby crocs – all being completed by 13 weeks in 2012.

The environmentally friendly cabin (adjacent to the Greathouse in ruins), is constructed of pure Honduran pine, measuring 60 feet x 12 feet.

It is wisely elevated off the ground as a cooling feature for the interior; to deny entry of insects and rodents; to mitigate against flooding, and to create a relaxation area under the house for the crocodiles – how thoughtful. The roof is fully occupied by a solar panel system which keeps the house off the grid.

The interior layout represents two bedrooms, each with its own glass-shower bathroom. Both also have one–wall kitchens exposing open shelving only, along with their private, individual sitting rooms. Smack in the middle of the building is a central, insect–screened, open dining area, furnished appropriately in wicker. Don’t panic! Contained nearby is a screened area with a lengthy, non–venomous yellow snake twisting away.

Simplicity and functionality eagerly collaborate in this design to satisfy Mr Henriques’s lifestyle and those of the reptilian population. No bad dogs, or electronic security, is required for protection from unsavoury characters.