Dr Marisa Tellez knew from a young age that she was destined to work with the world’s apex predators—particularly crocodiles. While her peers played with dolls, she immersed herself in books, documentaries, and wildlife centres, determined to one day turn her fascination into action.

In this episode, we sit down with Dr Tellez, Executive Director of the Crocodile Research Coalition, to explore her remarkable journey from the suburbs of Los Angeles to the lagoons of Belize. Along the way, we uncover how her early love for reptiles led her into parasitology, science communication, and community-led conservation.

Marisa shares how local attitudes toward crocodiles in Belize have transformed through education and engagement, and we dive into what it’s really like to live and work among these often-misunderstood creatures. We also talk about threats facing crocodilians and what it takes to build a career in conservation as a woman, a leader, and a lifelong learner.

This is a podcast about passion, persistence, and predators—and why building empathy for crocodiles might just help save them.