Established in 1978, the sanctuary is spread over a 435 km. stretch of the Chambal river, which flows across Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. A total of 905 gharials were reported in the Madhya Pradesh territory of the sanctuary during the last census in 2012.
Of the eleven reported deaths, five occurred in the Bhind region of Madhya Pradesh and six from the Agra and Etawah districts in Uttar Pradesh. Autopsy reports on the gharials revealed irregularities, primarily due to parasitic infection of the liver, kidneys and gastrointestinal tract. More shocking is the fact that this is not a first-time occurrence: about 115 gharials had died with the same problem in the sanctuary from December 8 to 22, 2007. Not wanting the current situation to escalate any further, authorities have already been in touch with experts across the country to take preventive steps to save the reptiles.
Samples were sent for a more precise toxicological and pathological examination at Veterinary College in Jabalpur, the High Security Animal Disease Laboratory (HSADL) in Bhopal and the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Bareilly, which ruled out the possibility of accidental deaths in fish nets, since there was no sign of external injuries were found on the bodies of the gharials. Speaking on the issue, District Forest Officer (DFO), Morena, Vincent Rahim told TOI, "Autopsy indicates different reasons. We are in touch with the best wildlife experts. The best veterinarians and experts have been put on alert," he said, adding that situation is not alarming yet.
Officials have also contacted the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust and Wildlife SOS (an animal-rescue organisation) for further assistance in tackling the situation. As a fresh initiative, sanctuary officials have invited tenders for procuring a mortuary freezer, in order to preserve the tissues and other remains of the animals for detailed investigations.
Source: Sanctuary Asia.Â
