With skin in the export game, can Bhaluka’s crocodile farm live up to its potential?

Hatiber, a village in Bhaluka upazila of Mymensingh district, is quiet, green and lush like any typical village in Bangladesh. At first sight, it seems like a place no one would visit unless necessary. 

Yet, hidden in this village is Reptiles Farm Limited, home to nearly 3,000 crocodiles (adult and juvenile). There, time seems to stand still over a cluster of ponds. Dozens of crocodiles lie motionless on muddy banks or beneath the water's surface, appearing more like sculptures than living creatures. Their scaly bodies blend seamlessly into the surroundings, giving the illusion of stillness and calm. 

But this peace is deceptive. 

Once a day, farm workers arrive carrying baskets full of chicken, beef and fish to feed the reptiles. The still water erupts into chaos as the crocodiles thrash and snap, fiercely competing to claim their share. Within minutes, the commotion subsides, and the creatures return to their silent vigil, waiting for the next meal.

Established in 2004 on just a 15-acre plot near Mymensingh, this is Bangladesh's first commercial crocodile farm, built with the vision to transform an unusual animal into an export commodity.

The farm's journey has not been smooth, though; over two decades, it has weathered management changes, mounting debt and legal battles.

It was in December 2004 that writer Mushtaq Ahmed established the farm, opening an entirely new export sector for the country.

To make this vision a reality, he procured 75 crocodiles, including 15 males, from Malaysia's Junction Crocodile Authority, spending around Tk1.5 crore. Six acres were dedicated to crocodile ponds and rearing facilities. 

The species reared here is Crocodylus porosus — a saltwater crocodile that thrives even in clear freshwater. Bangladesh's warm, humid climate has proven ideal for them.

The farm also attracts curious visitors, who now have to pay Tk150 per person for a pass to roam around and check out the crocodiles. 

The farm's operations grew steadily in its early years. In 2010, it began its export journey by sending frozen crocodiles to a university in Germany, marking Bangladesh's entry into the international crocodile trade.

No part of a crocodile goes to waste; crocodile leather remains one of the most expensive materials for high-end handbags, shoes and belts. 

However, farm manager and crocodile expert Dr Abu Saim Arif believes Bangladesh's crocodile farming potential remains untapped, "Besides leather, crocodile bones and teeth sell at high prices globally. There is strong demand for these in France, Germany, Italy, China, Japan, South Korea, and many other countries." 

He added, "If these byproducts were sold in the domestic market, it could bring huge profits. Also, with government approval, crocodile meat could be supplied to hotels at home for the foreigners and also abroad, helping us earn valuable foreign currency."

The farm continued to expand under Mushtaq's vision, establishing modern incubators, hatcheries, separate sheds for different age groups, and a leather processing unit. But to fund its growth, Reptiles Farm Limited borrowed Tk58 crore from International Leasing and Financial Services Limited (ILFSL), mortgaging the farm as collateral. 

However, the management repaid only Tk20 crore, and over time, the outstanding defaulted amount grew to around Tk108 crore.

Then, in 2013, ownership was transferred to fugitive banker and businessman PK Halder — who controlled the majority shares of ILFSL — and his associates.

In 2014, the farm exported 430 crocodile skins to Japan, earning nearly $200,000. The following year, another 400 skins were shipped, generating approximately $165,000. To date, over 1,500 skins have been exported to Japan and other countries, reflecting growing global demand.

But as financial distress deepened, legal battles and corruption allegations followed. The farm fell into severe neglect and mismanagement. Crocodiles were left without adequate food or care, and the maintenance of ponds and enclosures deteriorated.

In 2022, ILFSL filed a petition with the High Court, which appointed a six-member committee to manage the farm. When the court-appointed board took charge on 12 February 2022, they found around 1,730 crocodiles on the farm, including a very ill one. Years of carelessness had taken a toll. Crocodiles were dying regularly, and staff morale was low due to unpaid wages and an uncertain future.

Finally, after years of legal and operational limbo, the farm was auctioned and sold for Tk38 crore to Uddipan, a non-government organisation with plans to revive and restore its lost potential. The sale was a turning point for Reptiles Farm Limited, offering hope of rebuilding what was once envisioned as Bangladesh's golden gateway to crocodile exports.

Life on the farm: Breeding, feeding and growth

Despite management and financial challenges, crocodile rearing at the farm remains systematic. Baby crocodiles are fed minced chicken and beef daily to support their rapid growth, while adult crocodiles receive chicken, beef and fish once a week. The amount of food given is carefully calculated to be about 20% of each crocodile's body weight, replicating their natural feeding habits.

Crocodiles are notoriously territorial and highly aggressive creatures, often engaging in violent clashes with one another. On crocodile farms, workers commonly use the term "fighting disease" to describe the injuries sustained during these confrontations—wounds that can become infected and, in some cases, prove fatal

Though they may appear calm most of the day, during winter, when they bask in the sun, crocodiles are among the most dangerous animals to handle. They lack the ability to distinguish friend from foe and can attack even their caretakers if given the chance.

The breeding season for crocodiles at the farm primarily occurs during the monsoon. Female crocodiles lay eggs within a week of beginning to build their nests. Typically, they lay between 20 and 80 eggs at a time, with each egg roughly the size of a royal goose's egg. The eggs are collected and incubated at a controlled temperature of 32°C, hatching within 80 to 86 days.

Newborn crocodiles, approximately 12 inches long at birth, are moved to special incubators for 72 hours until their navels absorb the remaining yolk. They are then transferred to nurseries. By the age of two years, the young crocodiles are sorted by size and moved to ponds. Each pair of crocodiles requires around 80 square metres of space to live healthily. Male crocodiles grow faster than females, reaching commercial size sooner.

At the age of three years, their skin becomes suitable for leather production. At this stage, each crocodile's skin can be sold for an average of Tk50,000-60,000, depending on quality. Globally, crocodile skins measuring five to seven feet in length sell for between $400-600, depending on the size of the animal and the texture of its skin.