The gharial is a critically endangered reptile and resembles a crocodile. It can be found in
the northern Indian subcontinent, Bhutan (where it is almost extinct), Bangladesh (critical
condition) and other places. They are fish eating crocodiles and are best adapted to low
flowing rivers but are also suited to live on land.
A textbook defining feature of the gharial is its long, narrow snout with a bulbous growth on the tip of the male’s snout. The long snout allows for it to be lined with numerous interlocking, razor-sharp teeth. Despite the deadly description of its teeth, they are physically incapable of devouring anything bigger than river fish, much less human beings. Which is
why it is a myth to act in self defence against a Gharial.
These creatures are endangered for a variety of reasons. Mainly due to loss of habitat
because of sand mining and conversion to agricultural land is taking over their habitat. This
industrialisation also leads to the depletion of fish and overfishing which make it harder for
the gharial to survive. Reasons like this is why the Gharial has been listed as a critically
endangered species by the IUCN since 2007.
However, we have made slight progress and extended the existence of the gharial from
1970 till currently thanks to stricter conservation laws implemented in 2004. There are now 9
protected areas for this species in India which are linked to both captive breeding and
‘ranching’ operations where eggs collected from the wild are raised in captivity to help them
survive from predators. More than 3000 animals have been protected from these programs
and the wild population in India is an estimated 1500. Which is why you can see why the
Gharial needs more help, even with the changes we have made, it is at the brink of
extinction.
You can help by visiting and donating to nature conscious zoos such as the Prague Zoo
works together with an international organization called Gharial Conservation Alliance (GCA)
to protect the last wild populations. This organization plays a key role in gharial conservation
on the Chambal River; its activities, however, are not limited to that zone, but extend
throughout India.
Written by Amrit Srivastava, art by Simar Bhogal
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