Wildlife

Wild Gharial Critically Endangered Welfare

Gharials, a critically endangered fish-eating crocodilian, face habitat loss and fishery bycatch mortality that threaten the species survival.

Key Facts

Only around 650 adult gharials remain in the wild
Gharials are specialized fish feeders that die when caught in fishing nets
River sand mining destroys nesting banks critical for gharial reproduction
Recovery programs in India have released captive-bred gharials with mixed success

Welfare Considerations

Gharials dying in fishing nets experience drowning distress, while habitat loss forces remaining individuals into degraded rivers with reduced food and nesting opportunities. With under 650 adults remaining, each individual welfare outcome has significant conservation implications.

What You Can Do

Support gharial conservation programs in Nepal and India
Advocate for river protection in Indian gharial range states
Donate to organizations working on gharial nest protection programs
Follow gharial conservation research and share awareness of their plight