Mahendra Chaudhary Zoological Park, popularly known as Chhatbir Zoo is striving hard to save 18 newly born Gavial (Gharials) and the authorities have put them under observation in the intensive care unit (ICU) round-the-clock in the wild life hospital in the zoo premises for the last one month.
Manish Kumar, field director of Chhatbir Zoo, told The Pioneer that 18 Gharials took birth in the afternoon of June 28.
"We immediately put all the newly born Gharials in the ICU and all the gavials are quite healthy and fine till date. Veterinary doctor MP Singh is taking care of all baby Gharials of the cold-blooded reptile species," he said. Sources said two years ago, in October 2011, 16 newly born Gharials had died under mysterious circumstances in the Zoo premises.
Zoo authorities said that zoological parks were not the ideal habitat for Gharials. However, gharial (Gavialis gangeticus), one of three crocodilian species in India, with long, slender snout and a male gharial may grow up to 20 feet, reside exclusively in river habitats with deep, clear, fast-flowing waters and steep, sandy banks. Adult Gharials prefer still, deep pools, formed at sharp river-bends and river confluences and use sandy banks for basking and breeding. Young Gharials are found in much shallower, rapid flowing stretches in the water, added Harpal Singh, Block Officer (Animal Management), Chhatbir Zoo.
Singh said that newly born Gharials in 2011 couldn't survive as they had no knowledge to keep them alive artificially.
"This time, we are trying our best to save these 18 baby Gharials. For that, we are constantly in touch with Dr S.A Hussain, Scientist for wetlands and coastal habitat management; mountain ecosystem services; small carnivore ecology and conservation; management of small populations and taking his advise regularly," added Singh.
About 1500 Gharials survive in the wild in India and less than 100 in Nepal. About 1,000 Gharials are also being reared in various zoos and captive centres.
"Gharial is from cold-blooded reptile species, hence, it needs 25-30 degree centigrade temperature with 80 to 90 per cent humidity. We are maintaining this and as of now, these reptiles seem healthy and quite well," said Dr MP Singh. He further added that as this was artificial habitat for this species, the first one month was highly critical for these newly born Gharials.
"Even in the natural habitat, only 25 per cent newly born Gharials remain alive. To keep them hundred per cent alive, we are giving them fish feed lings and seasonal insects (in monsoon) for their feed and monitoring them around-the-clock," added Singh.*