L.A. Zoo to ink pact with Bihar govt., Wildlife Trust of India for Gharial conservation

The Bihar government, Los Angeles Zoo and the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) have agreed to strengthen conservation efforts of Gharials and release hatchlings back to the river safely

Buoyed by Gharial recovery efforts in West Champaran district’s Gandak river, the Bihar government, Los Angeles Zoo and the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) have agreed to strengthen conservation efforts of the reptiles and release hatchlings back to the river safely.

The Gharial Conservation Project to revive the breeding of the reptiles in Gandak river, launched by the Bihar government in association with WTI in 2014, has yielded positive results as 217 fish-eating long-snouted crocodiles have been sighted in the 284 k.m. stretch of the water body, compared to just 30 in 2014.

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“A high-level meeting on emerging challenges and solutions for Gharial conservation was held here recently. It deliberated on the progress, achievements and challenges of Gharial recovery in Gandak river," Bihar's Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & Chief Wildlife Warden P.K. Gupta told PTI.

The meeting was also attended by Mr. Samir Kumar Sinha (Joint Director, WTI), Mr. Jacob R Owens (Director of Conservation, LA Zoo), Mr. Jeromy M Chenault (Reptile and Animal Keeper, LA Zoo) and Ms. Maura T Messerly (Curator, Learning and Engagement, LA Zoo).

“The meeting discussed the collaborative work by the department and the WTI for the successful recovery of the wild population of Gharials. The LA Zoo has agreed to strengthen the ongoing conservation effort through ‘ex-situ’ incubation and further release of the hatchlings back to the river safely. They [LA Zoo] will soon send us a detailed project report following which a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will be signed,” he said.

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