Rare Gavial Sighted in India!

In a major surprise for wildlife enthusiasts and researchers, a rare gavial was sighted in India's Madhya Pradesh state. The gharial is listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and sightings of the species are rare.

The gharial was sighted in the Chambal River, which spans three states in central India - Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. The Chambal River is well known for its crocodiles and is popular with tourists.

The sighting of the rare gharial is a major boost for conservation efforts to save the species from extinction. Gharials were once found in many parts of India, but their numbers have declined dramatically in recent years due to hunting and habitat loss.

There are now estimated to be only about 1,000 gharials remaining in the wild. The main threats to the survival of the species are hunting by humans and loss of habitat due to development projects.

The sighting of the gharial in Madhya Pradesh is a positive sign that conservation efforts are beginning to bear fruit. Wildlife experts hope that this will lead to more concerted efforts to save the species from extinction.

Gavial Finally Hatches at San Diego Zoo!

After a two-month-long wait, the San Diego Zoo's gavial finally hatched on Wednesday, June 20th. This marks an exciting event for the Zoo, as the gavial is one of their most endangered species.

The San Diego Zoo houses three critically endangered gavials, who are among only 500 of their kind in the world. Gavials are native to rivers in Southeast Asia and parts of China, and are known for their long snouts, which they use to catch fish.

As recently as 2017, there were only around 100 gavials living in zoos worldwide. With this recent hatching at the San Diego Zoo, that number has now increased to over 500.

The San Diego Zoo's three gavials – two males and one female – have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of their new addition for some time now. After two months of keeping a close watch on the eggs, staff were thrilled to finally see one crack open and emerge into the world.

Since hatchingling survival rates are very low for gavials, staff at the zoo are doing everything they can to ensure that this little guy makes it through his critical first few weeks of life. They are providing round-the-clock care, including attentive feeding and monitoring of his health and progress.

The zoo is asking for the public's help in supporting this important effort by donating to its Gavial Hatching Fund. Funds raised through this campaign will go towards purchasing food and supplies for the hatchling as well as other conservation efforts for this critically endangered species.

If you would like to help support the San Diego Zoo's gavial hatching effort, visit sandiegozooglobalwarmingfund.org/gavial-hatchling-fund or call 619-231-1515 ext 4539.

Scientist Discovers New Species of Gavial in Burma!

A team of scientists from the United States and Burma has discovered a new species of gavial in Burma. This exciting discovery was announced earlier this week at a press conference in Rangoon.

The new species, which has been named Gavialis minimus, is the smallest known gavial. It is believed to inhabit the swamps and estuaries of southeastern Burma.

At the press conference, the team leader, Dr. James Brainerd, described the new gavial as "a small, slender-bodied crocodilian that is superficially similar to the more common gharial (Gavialis gangeticus)." He went on to say that "minimus represents a new genus and species that is uniquely adapted to its swampy habitat."

Since its discovery, Gavialis minimus has generated a great deal of interest among crocodilian enthusiasts and scientists alike. Dr. Brainerd and his team are now planning a detailed study of the new species in order to learn more about its ecology and behavior.

Rare Gavial Killed by Poachers in Thailand!

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has announced that a rare gavial was found dead with its snout hacked off, likely killed by poachers. The WCS estimates that only 400-500 gavials remain in the wild, all of them located in Thailand.

Gavials are long-nosed crocodiles that primarily live in freshwater habitats in Southeast Asia. They are listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List due to hunting and habitat loss. Gavials have cultural significance in many Asian countries, which has led to their continued decline despite conservation efforts.

The latest gavial casualty was discovered near the Bangkok suburb of Samut Prakan. WCS Thailand Country Program Director Somkiat Soontornpitakkool stated, "This is a tragic event and another stark reminder that we must do more to save this Critically Endangered crocodilian from extinction."

In addition to poaching, gavials are threatened by the loss and degradation of their wetland habitats. They are also vulnerable to entanglement in fishing gear, as well as flooding caused by climate change.

The WCS is working with local communities and partners to protect remaining gavial populations. This includes efforts to promote sustainable use of natural resources and strengthen law enforcement against poaching.

Conservationists Work to Save Endangered Gavials in India

In the state of Gujarat in western India, conservationists are working tirelessly to save the endangered gavial population. Once numbering in the thousands, there are now only around 250 gavials left in the wild.

The culprit behind this sharp decline is primarily poaching, as gavials are killed for their skin and meat. Additionally, habitat loss is also a major issue, as wetland areas where the gavials live are being drained and converted into farmland.

To help save these iconic creatures, the conservationists are teaming up with local communities to create awareness about the importance of these crocodiles and how poaching can impact their populations. They are also working to provide alternative livelihoods to locals that might otherwise resort to poaching as a means of making income.

In addition to these efforts, the conservationists are also working to improve the habitat of the gavials by constructing artificial wetlands and helping to restore natural wetlands.

The work of these conservationists is vital for ensuring that this unique species does not go extinct. With continued effort and support from both local communities and international organizations, we can hope that this population will rebound and thrive once again.