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Mahanadi Gorge: Gharial Population Grows to 27
31 Mar
Summary
- Twelve GPS-tagged gharials were released into the Mahanadi gorge.
- Satkosia's wild gharial population now stands at 27 individuals.
- Nesting challenges remain, with a low hatchling survival rate of 0.1%.
In a significant step for species recovery, twelve GPS-tagged gharials were released into the Mahanadi gorge within the Satkosia Tiger Reserve. This initiative, executed on Sunday by the wildlife wing of the forest department, saw 11 gharials from Nandankanan Zoological Park and one adult female from the Tikarapada conservation unit joining the wild.
With this release, the total gharial population in the Satkosia wild has now reached 27, with 15 individuals now equipped with transmitters. This effort is part of an ongoing program that has seen natural breeding of gharials in the Mahanadi gorge for five consecutive years. However, the survival rate for hatchlings remains critically low at 0.1%, similar to Olive Ridley sea turtles.
Wildlife officials highlighted that the presence of aggressive crocodiles in the Mahanadi gorge poses a significant threat, often forcing gharials upstream into connecting rivers. To protect nesting sites during the crucial March to May period, access to the gorge is strictly restricted. Satkosia is recognized as the state's only location for wild gharial breeding and hosts a dedicated research and conservation unit.
