Debabrata Swain , Lala A. K. Singh

Abstract

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Debabrata Swain , Lala A. K. Singh

Abstract

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Lala A. K. Singh

Abstract

Orissa is the only State to have all three Indian species of crocodilians viz., the Gharial (Gavialis Gangeticus), the Mugger or Marsh Crocodile (Crocodylus Palustris) and the Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus), in their natural habitat. Gharial is one of the rarest crocodilians, endemic to the Indian subcontinent. The Satkoshia Gorge of the River Mahanadi in Orissa was once famous for its ghariaJ and mugger populations Indiscriminate hunting. Habitat alternation, nylon netting for fishing. Damming in the upper river and the local demand for eggs are some of the reations to bring down the crocodilian populations in the Mahanadi from March 1974 the Orissa Forest Department decided to protect ghariah and muggers in the Satkoshia Gorge. From 1975 with assistance from Government of India, Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations and United nations Development Programme, Government of Orissa started a scheme at Tikerpada, beside the Satkosbia Gorge for studying (research) and conserving the Gharial. The operation of the scheme is based on "Grow and release" technique. Eggs are collected from nature aod incubated Under laboratory conditions, juveniles are reared to about a metre long and are reha bilitated in the Satkosbia Gorge of the Satkhoshia Gorge Sanctuary. To this date (September 1978) 156 gharials have been successCully reared at the Unit; out of which 72 have been rehabilitated in the river This project has also provided protection to other (autla in the saactuary and have provided employment to Munda tribes and local people Munda tribals have been refrained from their age-old practice of-egg eating, by providing work, employment and housing is some cases. Wide intereat have been created among public and tourists for crocodilians and other wildlife.

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Lala A. K. Singh , H. R. Bustard

Abstract

Breeding female crocodiles often exhibit socio-maternal behaviours like nest-guarding, breaking the unhatched eggs between the jaws, carrying the hatchlings to the water and protecting them from predators and other crocodiles. A twelve feet long female gbarial, Gavialis gangelieus (Gmelin), inhabiting the Satkoshia Gorge of River Mahanadi, Orissa had laid 25 eggs in April 75, which were transferred for hatchery incubation, restoring the neat to its original. Daily records on the post laying behaviour of the female showed that it returned to the nest eleven times during the incubation period. Visits were most frequent during the period when hatching would normally be expected. These later movements were presumably for releaoillg the hatchlings from the nest. It seems unlikely that gharials exhibit other aspects of maternal behaviour involving direct handling of hatchlings and unhatched eggs because the jaw structure is not suitable and the location of the eyes make this extremely difficult, if not impossible.

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