Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) 13 February 2016. National Chambal Sanctuary, District Agra, Uttar Pradesh, IN
![]() ![]() ![]() This bizarre prehistoric looking fish-eating crocodilian is critically endangered with a world population estimated at fewer than 200 individuals, all in scattered locations in northern India and Nepal. The species has declined 98% from historic levels because of a combination of poaching, over-fishing and habitat degradation. A last-ditch captive breeding and reintroduction program has been only marginally successful. I believe this is a female. Males have a bulbous nasal enlargement at the tip of the snout. Canon PowerShot SX50 HS References: Choudhury, B.C., Singh, L.A.K., Rao, R.J., Basu, D., Sharma, R.K., Hussain, S.A., Andrews, H.V., Whitaker, N., Whitaker, R., Lenin, J., Maskey, T., Cadi, A., Rashid, S.M.A., Choudhury, A.A., Dahal, B., Win Ko Ko, U., Thorbjarnarson, J & Ross, J.P. 2007. Gavialis gangeticus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2007: e.T8966A12939997. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2007.RLTS.T8966A12939997.en. Downloaded on 19 May 2016. Gharial. (2016, May 14). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 05:59, May 19, 2016, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gharial&oldid=720271536 |