Indian Gharials are a highly endangered species with only about 2,500 in the entire world. While most of them are in their native habitat of Northern India, several more gharials are disperesed around the world in more controlled environments as part of a conservation effort to keep the species safe from climate change and the other factors threatening their existence.
As part of a Wildlife Conservation Society conservation initiative, eight gharials have recently debuted at the Bronx Zoo where they will be studied for ways to help repopulate their species.
WCS has been supporting gharial conservation initiatives in India since the 1970s and continues to sponsor the Gharial Telemetry Project through the Gharial Conservation Alliance, which is managed by the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust Center for Herpetology (MCBT). Through protection and study of gharials in the Chambal Sanctuary, scientists now have a better understanding of how these evolutionarily unique crocodilians use their environment and the threats they face. Additionally, the project has identified key feeding, nesting and breeding areas for the species. The eight gharials in JungleWorld were hatched at the MCBT and brought to the Bronx Zoo as part of the ongoing conservation partnership.
Matt Coneybeare
Editor in Chief
Matt enjoys exploring the City's with his partner and son. He is an avid marathon runner, and spends most of his time eating, running, and working on cool stuff.
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