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Bio
Mecistops = African Slender-snouted Crocodiles 🐊 🆘Critically Endangered Species 🌍West & Central Africa 👨🏽🚀NatGeo Explorer •••
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#research#conservation#nationalgeographic#fiu#dwarfcrocodile#crocodiles#africa#crocodile#croctober#westafrica
Recent posts
Look at what we found at Barnes & Noble! Pick up the latest issue of National Geographic and discover the work of FIU researcher and National Geographic Explorer Matthew Shirley.
🔎 Learn more at news.fiu.edu
#NationalGeographic #FIU #Africa #dwarfcrocodile
13 Oct 2026
CROCtober 3, 2026: Today, CROCtober is taking us to West Africa! Myth vs. Fact: Crocodile Bile
Crocodiles have long held an important place in the cultures and traditions of communities across West Africa. Alongside this rich cultural history, fascinating beliefs and stories about crocodiles have also been passed down through generations.
Today’s CROCtober explores one of those beliefs and what scientific research tells us about it.
Learning about wildlife also means understanding the stories, traditions, and knowledge surrounding these incredible animals and separating long-held beliefs from what research has found.
Photo credits and Information: Dr. Matt Shirley
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#crocodile #croctober #westafrica
03 Oct 2026
FIU researcher and National Geographic Explorer Matthew Shirley is taking his research from the caves of Gabon to living rooms worldwide!
Shirley’s groundbreaking work on the world’s only known permanent cave-dwelling crocodile population will be featured in Episode 2 of National Geographic’s new series, Africa: Earth’s Wild Home, premiering October 2, 2026.
📺 Watch Episode 2: “Jungle”
▶️ Streaming on Disney+ and Hulu
🐊 Discover more at news.fiu.edu!
#FIU #Research #NationalGeographic #DwarfCrocodile #WildlifeResearch
03 Oct 2026
FIU researcher Matthew Shirley is featured in the October issue of National Geographic magazine. Shirley’s research on dwarf crocodiles is highlighted in the Explorer’s Spotlight. He is the sole scientist actively researching the only known permanent cave-dwelling crocodile population. Shirley is also interviewed in a story in the same issue on the conservation of pangolins — one of the world’s most trafficked wild mammals. Shirley leads the international initiative Operation Pangolin, which is providing critical insight into the elusive and threatened animals. That project has received core funding support from the Allen Family Philanthropies.
#Crocodiles #Pangolins #NatGeo #Research
23 Sep 2026
Where can research take you? We’re about to find out.
#research
21 Sep 2026
🐊 Taller Regional del Grupo de Especialistas en Cocodrilos (IUCN-CSG) 🌎.
Finalizó con éxito el Taller Regional del Grupo de Especialistas en Cocodrilos (IUCN-CSG) en El Salvador, un encuentro clave para la conservación regional. El primer día fue particularmente memorable, comenzando con la bienvenida oficial que contó con la presencia del Ministro de Ambiente y Recursos Naturales y otras autoridades del ministerio, junto a las palabras inspiradoras del Co-Chair del CSG, Alejandro Larriera. A lo largo de la mañana, los representantes de los países de la región ofrecieron valiosas presentaciones sobre el estado actual de las poblaciones de cocodrilianos en sus territorios. Posteriormente, el enfoque del taller se centró en las actividades fundamentales para la identificación de prioridades, lideradas por Matt Shirley con la colaboración de Robin Botero Arias, dinámicas que se desarrollaron y enriquecieron a lo largo de los tres días del evento, marcando una ruta clara para el futuro de la gestión y la conservación de estas especies en Latinoamérica.
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🐊 IUCN-CSG Crocodile Specialist Group Regional Workshop 🌎The IUCN-CSG Crocodile Specialist Group Regional Workshop in El Salvador concluded successfully, marking a crucial meeting for regional conservation efforts. The first day was particularly memorable, starting with the official welcome, which included the presence of the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources and other ministry authorities, alongside inspiring words from CSG Co-Chair, Alejandro Larriera. Throughout the morning, country representatives offered valuable presentations on the current status of crocodilian populations in their territories. Subsequently, the workshop focused on fundamental activities for identifying priorities, led by Matt Shirley with the collaboration of Robin Botero Arias. These dynamics developed and enriched the entire three-day event, setting a clear path for the future management and conservation of these species in Latin America.@crocspec
09 Oct 2025
That’s a wrap! The work we do is so important for these endangered species. Lots of data collected and lots more work to do. I am both grateful and in love with what I do ❤️
Thanks to the @communities_for_red_colobus team for showing us their troops of red colobus monkeys and also our own team @projectmecistops and @caithenderson7 @projectwildgambia and everyone else involved in this trip. Great team work
04 Mar 2025
Are you a young passionate, determined, and committed conservationist resident in West Africa? Are you interested in working on under-represented species such as pangolins, crocodiles, tortoises, etc..?
THRESCOAL in partnership with Project Mecistops and Université Nangui Abrogoua presents a 2-year capacity building programme for young scientists in West Africa. See the attached brochure for details.
You can apply online by following this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScfmryb8d4XeQpQzvL3tHzYXY4C8zq5-IFK2D_uvVvNtdK1TQ/viewform
13 Apr 2022
Êtes-vous un jeune conservationniste résidant en Afrique de l'Ouest, passionné, déterminé et engagé? Etes-vous intéressé à travailler sur des espèces sous-représentées telles que les pangolins, les crocodiles, les tortues, etc...?
THRESCOAL en partenariat avec Project Mecistops et l'Université Nangui Abrogoua présente un programme de renforcement des capacités de 2 ans pour les jeunes scientifiques en Afrique de l'Ouest. Voir la brochure ci-jointe pour plus de détails.
Si vous vous intéressez, vous pouvez postuler en ligne ici: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe75demXoDkjBVIUYaGuOVOrbhp0gp79HVxd5yhv5GU4emKdQ/viewform
13 Apr 2022
Join us May 26-June 1 for a series of virtual sessions that will create awareness and build interest in our favorite underdog: the pangolin. The ‘Pangolins & the Pandemic’ event is free, open to anyone, and sessions can be viewed live or on-demand. I will be joining an impressive group of pangolin experts from all over the world discussing topics including the link between wildlife trade and COVID-19, modern methods for saving pangolins in Central Africa, combating illegal trafficking and poaching, a day in the life of a pangolin, a screening of Eye of the Pangolin with the film’s director, and more. Please join us and support the incredible pangolin! View full schedule and RSVP at bit.ly/lovepangolins. #pangolin #conservation #awesometalks
26 May 2020
Day 1 of CoP - let the fun begin!! #cites #citescop18 #conservation #wildlifetrade #sustainablefashion
17 Aug 2019
The West African crocodile (Crocodylus suchus) is truly one of the most amazing crocs out there! Here we see one of the last 3 females known to occupy the desert gueltas (oases) of Chad, in Ennedi National Park. The juxtaposition of a croc in the desert is unreal, but these animals - relics of a time long past, when the Sahara was greener and wetter - are holding on! We’re here to support the amazing work of @africanparksnetwork and @elsabussiere ensuring the future of this population. Thanks for such an amazing, once in a lifetime opportunity!
#crocodiles #crocodilesofinstagram #amazingwildlife #ennedi #reptiles #reptilesofinstagram #conservation #natgeoexplorer #explore #desert
20 Jul 2019
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