Gharials Lost in Floodwaters: Rescue Mission Underway

The city forest division has initiated an extensive tracking operation to rescue endangered gharials swept away by the swollen Mahanadi river. These aquatic reptiles, released in the Satkosia Tiger Reserve in March as part of a species recovery program by Nandankanan zoo, were displaced by strong currents during recent floods. Forest authorities are concerned the gharials could become entangled in fishing nets or be harmed by locals mistaking them for dangerous predators.

Satellite tracking data is aiding officials in locating the displaced animals. Two gharials have already been safely located in the Daya river and Jobra, areas under the city forest division's jurisdiction. The initial release involved 12 gharials, each equipped with a transmitter to monitor their survival and dispersal. Tracking efforts now span from Sambalpur to Paradip, underscoring the difficulties in conserving a species with a critically low survival rate in the wild.

Satkosia is recognized as the sole location in Odisha where gharials breed in their natural habitat and hosts a dedicated research and conservation unit. The Nandankanan zoo continues to play a crucial role in the gharial recovery program, which has been extended for another four years, from 2023 to 2026. Despite past successes, like the discovery of 29 hatchlings last year, experts caution that the survival rate for gharial hatchlings remains alarmingly low, at just 0.1%.

The ongoing rescue and tracking mission is paramount for ensuring the gharial population's survival against natural adversities and human-induced threats. As of the current date, the total gharial population within Satkosia has increased to 27, with 15 individuals fitted with transmitters and the remainder being naturally bred within the gorge.