🐊 Gharial – The Endangered River Guardian of Nepal
📷 Image credit: Wikimedia Commons – Gavialis gangeticus
The Gharial (गङ्गेटी घडियाल), known for its long snout and gentle nature, is one of the rarest crocodilian species on Earth. Found in Nepal’s Rapti, Narayani, and Babai rivers, this fish-eating reptile plays a key role in maintaining healthy freshwater ecosystems.
🔍 How to Identify a Gharial
- Extremely narrow snout with over 100 sharp teeth
- Greenish-grey body, flattened tail, and webbed feet
- Adult males have a bulb-like nasal growth called a ghara
- Can grow up to 6 meters long
🌊 Habitat & Lifestyle
Gharials live in deep, slow-moving rivers with sandy banks — perfect for nesting and sunbathing. They are shy and avoid human interaction, feeding only on fish. In Nepal, they are mostly found inside Chitwan National Park and Bardia National Park.
⚠️ Critically Endangered
The Gharial population has declined drastically due to river pollution, habitat destruction, and fishing net entanglements. With fewer than 1,000 individuals left in the wild, urgent conservation is needed to save them from extinction.
🛡️ Conservation Efforts in Nepal
- Gharial Breeding Centre in Kasara, Chitwan (since 1978)
- Captive breeding and reintroduction into wild rivers
- Awareness campaigns and anti-poaching patrols
📸 Fun Facts About Gharials
- They are the most aquatic crocodilians — they rarely walk on land.
- The male's "ghara" helps produce buzzing calls to attract females.
- One female can lay up to 60 eggs in a single season.
Gharials are top indicators of river health. Protecting them means keeping Nepal’s rivers clean, safe, and balanced for all species — including us!
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