Crocodiles to get breeding help
Little was known about the reproductive system of crocodiles until the new research, which will assist crocodile farmers and help the conservation of rare and endangered crocodilian species around the world. Image: farbenrausch/iStockphoto The world's first artificial insemination of crocodiles is one step closer thanks to a novel project between The University of Queensland (UQ) and a central Queensland farmer.Reproductive biologist at UQ's School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Dr Steve Johnston, has successfully collected semen from three metre long saltwater crocodiles at the Koorana crocodile farm near Rockhampton, central Queensland and will begin artificial insemination of female crocodiles in a couple of weeks.Dr Johnston is presenting his research findings, which include discoveries of aspects of the crocodiles' reproductive processes that were little known to science, at the Zoo and Aquarium Association Conference being held on the Gold Coast this week.Dr Johnston is working with crocodile farmer John Lever on the...