Nepal

**Common Name:** Gharial

**Scientific Name:** *Gavialis gangeticus*

Fact

Gharial eggs are the largest of any crocodilian species, weighing on average 6 ounces (160 grams).

About

Overview:

The gharial is an Asian freshwater crocodile known for its characteristic long thin jaw. It derives its name from the Indian word ‘ghara’ (meaning ‘pot’) which refers to the bulbous growth at the end of its snout.

Found in Nepal, India and Bangladesh gharial populations have declined by approximately 94% from peak levels driven by a number of anthropogenic factors.

Lifespan:

40 - 60 years

Habitat:

The gharial inhabits clear freshwater systems, generally preferring deep and fast flowing rivers. Sand banks are used as basking sites and for nesting during the dry season.

Historically, gharials were found in Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Myanmar and Bhutan but only remain in the first two of these countries.

When to spot:

Gharials can be seen all year around.

Diet:

Gharials predominantly eat fish but larger individuals may prey on vertebrates.

Predators:

The main predators are humans, but Gharial young can be predated by snakes and birds of prey.

Fact

The word gharial is derived from the word ghara, which means mud pot. It was misread by Europeans who changed the word to gavial. Thus, this species is known both as gavial and gharial.

How To Identify

Gharials have a highly distinctive long, thin jaw and bulbous growth at the end of its snout. They have rows of uniform sharp teeth and a relatively long well muscled neck to support them in catching fish.
They are sexually dimorphic with males growing up to 6 metres in length whilst females reaching up to 4 metres. Gharials weigh between 150 - 250 kg when fully grown.

Vulnerability Status

IUCN Red List status: Critically Endangered

Country status: Unknown

Population size: Approximately 650

Global gharial populations have decreased by 94% versus peak levels and by >80% since 1943 with the species becoming locally extinct in Pakistan, Myanmar and Bhutan.

Despite this, there have potentially been signs of improvement in populations and the population trend is currently increasing according to the IUCN red list.

Conservation efforts in India and Nepal have focussed on a mixture of head-starting (conserving and ranching wild eggs) and captive breeding, however, the effects of these programmes have varied. In India, releases in the National Chambal Sanctuary and other areas have managed to arrest and even reverse some population declines, although in Nepal similar efforts have not resulted in any noticeable population increases.

Threats

Key historical causes of decline have been dams and barrages disrupting river hydrology, fishing net mortality and unregulated hide hunting. As human population sizes have increased this has further increased the demand for river resources resulting in additional threats such as water control and extraction and river bank disruption (e.g. sand mining).

Within Nepal a further challenge is the relatively small population of mature adults (<50) within specific locations in which the gharial is found and there are few known examples of recent breeding. Coupling this with a lengthy estimated generation time of 25 years means that population declines may be more difficult to reverse.

Fact

Male Gharials blow bubbles using the bump on their snout.

Conservation Actions

Much of the conservation action supporting gharials has related to rear and release programmes launched in India and Nepal in the 1970s and 1980s. The process of head-starting has been used to incubate, conserve and ranch wild gharial eggs to improve early survival rates and provide a stock of young gharials to release. Successful captive breeding programmes were also set up in India in the 1980s and 1990s in order to produce further young gharials for release.

The success of release programmes has varied significantly. Releases into suitable habitats in the Indian Chambal and Katarniaghat regions have resulted in population increases in some areas. However, other releases - including those in Nepal - have resulted in no discernible population improvements. A lack of monitoring in many areas also creates challenges for understanding what impact releases have had.

What You Can Do To Help

Crocodiles of the World, the UK’s only Crocodile Zoo, are raising public awareness about the importance of gharials and other similar reptiles in the hope of securing their long-term future. Pay them a visit with proceeds and donations going towards funding ongoing conservation efforts.

Consider swapping garments and accessories, such as shoes and bags made of reptile hide for those made from faux materials.

Further Information

Click the title below for further information.

The latest IUCN Red List data.
CLICK HERE
The IRCF is an organisation that pursues the conservation of reptiles, amphibians, the natural habitat and ecosystems that support them.
CLICK HERE
The EDGE of Existence programme is the only global conservation initiative to focus specifically on threatened species that represent a significant amount of unique evolutionary history.
CLICK HERE

**Common Name:** Himalayan relict dragonfly

**Scientific Name:** *Epiophlebia laidlawi*

Fact

Himalayan relict dragonflies are very clumsy in flight, but since they have very few predators in their habitat it doesn’t cause them too many problems.