Gharials Nesting

Gharial nests have been found in Chambal's sanctuary, so there's (some) hope for the species... (News source.)

Crocodilian News

A Florida golf ball diver was attacked by a 10+ foot alligator, managing to barely escape with a broken arm and crushed shoulder. (News source.)

A 3-foot crocodilian was reported from Swansea lake, in the UK. (News source.)

A hunt for gharials in Pakistan didn't locate any of the species. They may have been wiped out by hunters. (News source.)

Investigation Continues

The gharial deaths in India are still a mystery, though the colder weather recently may have helped abate the problem a little bit. (News source.)

Fish Poisoning Gharials?

A crocodile expert suggests that toxins accumulating in the skin of tilapia are poisoning India's gharials. (News source.)

Gharial Investigation Continues

Live gharials are been captured and tested to acquire baseline data, so that researchers can figure out what's killing the species in India. (News source.)

"Post mortem analysis of dead Gharials found ulcerated lesions in the stomach and some inflammation in the intestine. Absence of external injuries rules out accidental death or poaching. Toxicological and pathological examination of the organs of the dead gharials by the IVRI, Bareilly, and ITRC, Lucknow found lead concentrations between 0.7-1.4 ppm. Liver and kidney tissues indicate degenerative changes. Presence of various stages of protozoan parasite was also detected. Autopsies conducted on 4 dead gharials on 27th January, 2008 revealed significant gout – both visceral and articulate. Even the feet and tail joints had uric acid deposits. Gout is indicative of kidney failure as a result of toxic poisoning or disease. However, the gharials seemed in good health condition with fat deposits."

Gharial Deaths Continue

The Indian gharial epidemic continues, with over 100 dying on the Chambal river in the last 6 weeks. The cause is still unknown, but lead traces have been found in some bodies. (News source.)

Gharial Mortality

21 endangered gharials have died recently in the Chambal River, India, possibly due to bacterial disease (though uncertain.) Conservationists are alarmed. (News source.)

Gharial Program

A captive breeding program for gharials is being set up in Assam, after a female was rescued from a fisherman's nets. (News source.)

India Gharial

A gharial was videotaped by researchers in the the Brahmaputra river at Chapor near Dhubri, after being alerted by villagers. (News source.)

Gharials

Gharials are now considered critically endangered in India, as populations diminish in response to development on the rivers. (News source.)

Overcrowded Zoo Gharials

A zoo in Orissa, India, has bred many endangered gharials -- so many, they are overcrowded now. Up until 2000, juveniles were released into the wild, but survival rates were low, so the practice was halted. They are now looking at more effective strategies for reintroduction. (News source.)

Gharial & Babies

There's a great image of a gharial with youngsters from the Nandankanan zoo in India at the Daily Mail. They plan to raise this latest batch of gharials for a few years, then reintroduce them into the wild.