The gharial in Bangladesh

Abstract

By 1975 the gharial Gauialis gangeticus was nearly extinct due to the combined effects of habitat alteration, hunting and fishing operations and it was made a priority species for the Government of India/FAO/UNDP Crocodile Breeding and Management Project initiated that year. Successful artificial incubation and release schemes in India and Nepal have generated optimism for its future in these two countries but the situation in Bangladesh is not so promising; in 1979 the gharial was believed extinct there. In 1983 the author visited a recently reported breeding site and reports on present conditions. © 1984, Fauna and Flora International. All rights reserved.