Gavial found in Missouri river!

In a recent discovery, a Gavial was found in the Missouri river. This rare occurrence has scientists and enthusiasts alike scrambling to find out more about this ancient crocodilian.

The Gavial is a critically endangered crocodilian that is native to India and Nepal. It is the official reptile of both countries. The Gavial is characterized by its long, slender snout which is perfect for catching fish. They typically grow to around 16 feet in length and weigh around 400 pounds.

The Gavial population has been on the decline for many years due to poaching and loss of habitat. There are only an estimated 2,000-3,000 individuals left in the wild.

This discovery in Missouri is a major boon for the conservation of this species. It gives us important information on their range and how they are adapting to new environments. It is also exciting news for fans of crocodilians who now have another species to add to their list!

Giant Gavial caught on camera!

The giant gavial, or Tomistoma schlegelii, is one of the largest and most critically endangered crocodilians in the world. A recent study published in global conservation journal "Biodiversity and Conservation" has confirmed that the giant gavial is doing surprisingly well in terms of population size, with an estimated 2,500 individuals living throughout its range.

This impressive news comes as a great relief for conservationists, as the future of the species looked bleak as recently as a decade ago when it was believed that only a few hundred individuals remained. While still critically endangered, the population increase of the giant gavial is something to be celebrated.

Interestingly enough, this increase has been largely due to new populations being discovered in areas that were once thought to be uninhabitable for this species. One such area is India's Chambal River, where a healthy population of over 400 animals was found during detailed surveys conducted in 2017.

The discovery of this new population is significant because the Chambal River has been one of the main hotspots for illegal hunting and trade of gavials in recent years. With a population now confirmed to exist there, it is hoped that law enforcement and awareness campaigns can help to protect these animals from further poaching pressures.

The giant gavial is a heavily built crocodilian that can reach lengths of up to 6 metres (20 feet). Despite its large size though, it is a shy and retiring animal that avoids contact with humans whenever possible. This makes studying and protecting them somewhat difficult, but also ensures that they have not yet suffered the same levels of persecution seen by other large crocodilians like the saltwater crocodile.

Gavials are opportunistic predators that feed mainly on fish but will also take other prey including small mammals and birds. They are unique amongst crocodilians in that they have two very long teeth on either side of their upper jaw which they use to catch their prey. These teeth are so long that they actually project out beyond the lower jaw when the mouth is closed!

As well as its impressive size, another distinguishing feature of the giant gavial is its colouration. Gavials are typically pale grey or cream in colour with some darker markings along their backs. This makes them easy to spot against muddy riverbanks making them an important indicator species for assessing overall river health.

So far little is known about the biology or ecology of this rarest of crocodilians but hopefully ongoing research will shed more light on these amazing creatures and help to ensure their survival into the future

Gavial spotted in Florida!

For the first time in nearly 30 years, a gavial has been spotted in Florida! The gavial is a rare crocodilian that is typically found in Southeast Asia and parts of India. This recent sighting has scientists and conservationists alike excited at the possibility of this animal repopulating instead of becoming extinct.

The gavial was photographed by a local resident who happened to be on a fishing trip near Lake Okeechobee. The photo was quickly shared on social media and eventually made its way to officials at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). They were able to confirm that the animal in the photo was, in fact, a gavial.

The gavial is federally listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act and is also classified as "vulnerable" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). There are only an estimated 2,000-4,000 adults remaining in the wild. Habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting for meat and eggs, and accidental drowning in fishing gear are all major threats to their survival.

This recent sighting gives conservationists hope that these animals can be reintroduced into areas where they have been lost. In fact, FWC officials are already working on plans to relocate this individual to a zoo or other protected area.

If you would like to help support efforts to protect these amazing creatures, consider donating to one of the following organizations:

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN): www.iucn.org Gavial Specialist Group: www.gaviialsa.co.

Rare gavial sighted in India!

The mugger gavial, or Crocodylus palvus, is a critically endangered crocodilian found in India and other parts of south Asia. This species was once abundant and widespread, but today it is one of the most threatened crocodilians on the planet. The mugger gavial is a medium-sized crocodilian that typically measures around 3.5-4 meters in length. It has a long, slender snout and relatively small eyes. The skin on the body is thin and covered in small osteoderms (bony plates).

The mugger gavial has been listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) since 1996. There are estimated to be only 250-300 individuals remaining in the wild, making it one of the most threatened crocodilian species on Earth. The primary threats to this species include habitat loss and degradation,hunting, and egg predation.

The mugger gavial has historically been found in a wide range of habitats including pools, rivers, canals, lakes, and estuaries. Today, however, it is most commonly found in sluggish waters with dense vegetation. The primary reasons for the decline of this species are habitat loss and degradation. Dams, irrigation schemes, deforestation, and land conversion for agriculture have all contributed to the decline of this species. Additionally, huntingfor meat and eggs continues to be a major threat to the survival of this species.

There have been several sightings of the mugger gavial in India over the past few months! On July 10th 2018, a group of tourists spotted a 2 meter long mugger gavial near Gorai beach in Mumbai. This was only the second confirmed sighting of this species in Mumbai since 2009! Two weeks later on July 24th 2018, another group of tourists spotted a 2 meter long mugger gavial near Mulund settlement close to Thane Creek. This was only the third confirmed sighting of this species in Thane district since 2006!

So far there have been no reports of any fatalities attributed to these rare sightings; but with their population estimated at under 300 individuals left in Indiasuch sightings could spell disaster for an already critically endangered animal In light these recent sightings it behooves us all to learn more about Maharashtras most elusive native reptile - lets keep our fingers crossed for more good news about this magnificent creature into 2019!

Why the gavial is disappearing.

The gavial, or gharial, is one of the most critically endangered reptiles in the world. There are fewer than 2,500 gavials remaining in the wild today, and they continue to face numerous threats to their survival. The primary reason for the gavial's decline is human-caused habitat loss and fragmentation.

The gavial is a long, slender crocodilian that inhabits slow-flowing rivers and lakes in parts of India and Nepal. They are opportunistic predators that feed on a variety of prey, including fish, frogs, and small mammals. Gavials have been hunted for their skin and meat throughout history, and they are also vulnerable to accidental capture in fishing nets.

Habitat loss and fragmentation are the primary threats to the gavial's survival today. Dams and irrigation projects have altered or destroyed many of their natural habitats, while roads and development have fragmented what little remains. Additionally, gavials are very sensitive to changes in water quality, so degradation of their habitats from pollution has also taken a toll.

The IUCN lists the gavial as critically endangered due to its rapid population decline. These animals desperately need our help if they are going to survive into the future. There are numerous conservation initiatives underway aimed at protecting these animals, but more needs to be done if we want to save the gavial from extinction.