|
|
Crocodile Rescue | Three Indian Species | Conflict | The Big Four |
Across our planet, there are 23 species of crocodiles and alligators, the top predators of tropical and subtropical wetland ecosystems. Out of these 23 species 3 species are found in India.
Mugger or Marsh Crocodile (Crocodylus palustris), Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus ), Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus).
GSPCA and Wildlife SOS in collaboration are working with the Gujarat Forest Department to conserve the reptilian diversity of this state, specially by rescuing the animals comes into conflict and releasing them in their natural habitat which includes reptiles like Crocodile, Snakes, Monitor lizards and tortoises in the city of Vadodra, Gujarat. |
| GSPCA & Wildlife SOS successfully rescued and released 282 crocodiles. |
| The crocodiles are captured from houses, fields and cities where they stray during monsoon months and create panic. We have rescued 282 crocodiles in the past and released them back to their natural habitat. All the crocodiles rescued and released are marked/ tagged by scute cutting method. |
 |
 |
 |
| Three Indian Species |
 Marsh Crocodile (Crocodylus palustris) also called Mash crocodile is found throughout the Indian subcontinent. Mugger crocodiles have 19 upper teeth on each side. They grow to a length of 18 feet. Muggers are mainly freshwater species; they inhabit lakes, rivers and marshes. Muggers prefer
slow-moving, shallower bodies of water rather than, fast-flowing, deep areas. Feeds on fish, other reptiles and small and large mammal.
Protected under Schedule I of Wildlife Protection Act 1972.
|
 Saltwater or Estuarine Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) is the largest of all living crocodilians and reptiles. It is found in suitable habitat throughout Southeast Asia and northern Australia. Saltwater crocodiles generally spend the tropical wet season in freshwater swamps and rivers, moving downstream to estuaries in the dry season, and sometimes traveling far out to sea.
Saltwater crocodiles can take monkeys, wild boar, birds, domestic livestock, buffalo, gaur, leopards, sharks, and humans and even other large animals as well.
Protected under Schedule I of Wildlife Protection Act 1972. |
 Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) is one of two surviving members of the family Gavialidae. It is having a long narrow snout, which is an adaptation to a diet of small fish which differentiates from other crocodiles. The gharial is the second-longest of all living crocodilians.Mostly feeds on fish, but some individuals have been known to scavenge dead animals.Critically Endangered Conservation Union and Appendix II of CITES.
Protected under Schedule I of Wildlife Protection Act 1972. |
| Human – Crocodile conflict in Vadodara |
 More than twenty attacks on human beings by crocodiles were reported in and around Vadodara in the last two years. There are numerous attacks on live stock recorded by the villagers around the Vadodara city. Many of them have occurred in the surrounding villages. GSPCA & WSOS address and work to solve these issues in the state of Gujarat.
Due to frequent attacks by crocodiles they have become very unpopular in the village areas and are often killed by the angry villagers. During the breeding months, the crocodiles try to protect their nests near the water bodies and attack live stock, dogs & humans who come near to the nesting sites. Moreover, the sharingof waterways by people and crocodiles gives rise to conflicts which need to be resolved, since such conflicts create a significant impact on the survival of the mugger in the unprotected areas. The success of any conservation programme is strongly dependent on the support and active participation of local people and, as such, managing people-crocodile interface becomes essential, which some of the earlier debates and plans for reptile conservation have ignored or trivialized.
To support our Wildlife Rescue, Relief and Rehabilitation efforts, please click here... |
|
