Crocodiles preying on young gharials in Chambal Sanctuary:Radio transmitters expose killings; officials seek ways to protect ‘safe haven’

Gharials are facing a serious threat in Madhya Pradesh, even in the Chambal River, long considered the safest habitat for the species in the country. Recent monitoring of the 435-km-long Chambal Gharial Sanctuary has revealed that young gharials up to three years old and around 120 cm in length are repeatedly falling prey to crocodile attacks. ‘Go and Release’ scheme This has been confirmed through radio transmitters fitted under the Forest Department’s ‘Go and Release’ scheme. While the transmitters were found intact, their signals were traced not from the river but from inside crocodiles. Further investigation, including the discovery of gharial remains in crocodile faeces, confirmed the attacks. This is the first officially recorded instance of such predation in the Chambal Gharial Sanctuary. Forest officials from Morena to Bhopal are now investigating how what was considered the safest refuge for gharials is turning into a hunting ground for them. Gharial Sanctuary built in 1978-79 Transmitters found in crocodiles’ stomachs Crocodile attacks first came to light in 2017-18 English scientist chose Chambal River for the sanctuary
English scientist H.R. Bustard surveyed many rivers around the world to find a suitable location to save the endangered gharial species. The search he was conducting for clean water and a favourable natural environment seemed to be fulfilled in the Chambal River. Subsequently, a sanctuary for gharial conservation was established in the Chambal River through American funding. Forest Department collects 200 eggs every year
In the Chambal Sanctuary area, the Forest Department collects about 200 gharial eggs every year and brings them to Deori Gharial Sanctuary. Female gharials lay eggs during March-April. In the month of May, the eggs are collected and brought to the sanctuary. After this, hatching takes place in June and gharial hatchlings emerge from the eggs. During this period, the eggs are kept safely buried in sand at a temperature of 33 to 36 degrees Celsius in the sanctuary, so that the hatchlings can develop properly.