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Crocodile Rescue | Three Indian Species | Conflict | The Big Four |
Crocodile Rescue |
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.
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Three Indian Species of Crocodiles: |
 Marsh Crocodile (Crocodylus palustris) also called 'Mugger' 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.
They are protected under Schedule I of Indian Wildlife Protection Act 1972.
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 Saltwater or Estuarine Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) is the largest of all living Crocodilians and Reptiles. It is found in suitable habitat throughout South-East 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 eat monkeys, wild boar, birds, domestic livestock, buffalo, gaur, leopards, sharks, and humans and even other large animals as well. They are protected under Schedule I of Indian Wildlife Protection Act 1972.
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 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. They are listed as 'Critically Endangered' in the IUCN Red Data List and Appendix II of CITES. In India, they are protected under Schedule I of Indian Wildlife Protection Act 1972.
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Reptile and Wildlife Rescue in Gujarat, India |
Wildlife S.O.S and GSPCA are working in collaboration with the Gujarat Forest Department to conserve the reptilian diversity of this state, specially by rescuing the animals which come into conflict with humans. These animals generally include reptiles like Crocodile, Snakes, Monitor lizards and Tortoises in the city of Vadodra, Gujarat. Post-rescue, these animals are treated for any ailments or injuries they might be carrying and then released back into their natural habitat. |
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| More about Wildlife S.O.S-GSPCA Rescue efforts in Gujarat |
Wildife S.O.S and GSPCA (Gujarat Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) have collaborated to help rescue reptiles and wildlife inadvertently entering into conflict situations with humans in the state of Gujarat where the River Vishwamitri flows and continues to be the natural habitat of the Indian mugger. The collaboration also intends to address the issue of man-animal conflict situations in the coastal state of Gujarat with special emphasis on situations where trapped wildlife needs to be rescued and returned to its natural habitat.
To ensure rapid action and save reptilian lives a 24-hour rescue unit has been formed. It is led by the energetic and experienced team of Snehal and Raj Bhavsar and supported by their committed and dynamic team of rescue volunteers.The rescue team operates in the city of Vadodara and nearby areas. All animals are released back into their wild habitat after administering the required medical treatment.
The city of Vadodara is special in its own way, It is a crowded fast developing urban city, which has a Perennial River Vishwamitri flowing right through as its main roadway. This river is richly populated with crocodiles. During monsoon, when the river overflows, the water rushed into backyards and homes and with it these crocodiles enter human habitations near the riverside. In the last two years more than twenty attacks on human beings by crocodiles were reported in and around Vadodara alone. Due to these attacks crocodiles became very unpopular in the village areas and the animals were then killed or trussed up and sold to an illegal underground market for skin. Since 1995, over 275 crocodiles trapped in man-animal conflict situations have been rescued and released back into the waters at the Ajwa reservoir after they are marked and scientifically tagged by 'scute cutting' which is internationally accepted. However more needs to be done.
The GSPCA – WSOS collaboration team set out to study the best means of preventing such confrontations between man and animal. Moreover, the sharing of waterways by people and crocodiles give rise to conflicts which need to be resolved peacefully and quickly, since such conflicts have the potential to create a significant impact on the survival of mugger in the unprotected areas. During the breeding months, the crocodiles try to protect their nests near to the water bodies and attack live stock, dogs & humans who come near to the nesting sites.
The success of any conservation programme is strongly dependent on the support and active participation of local people and thus an Education / Awareness programme for the people in the city was begun. The local population is being sensitised towards wildlife conservation issues and they are encouraged to contact GSPCA-Wildlife S.O.S Helpline and the Gujarat Forest Department in case they see injured or trapped wildlife.
To support our Wildlife Rescue, Relief and Rehabilitation efforts in Gujarat, please click here |
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