Gharial Conservation Alliance to Receive $3,000 Grant
The Gharial Conservation Alliance (GCA) is to be the recipient of a $3,000 grant from the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo’s Cleveland Zoological Society that will assist the GCA in supporting a staff veterinarian for one year. The veterinarian position is needed to support on going GCA and Forestry Department efforts to conserve the critically endangered gharial, Gavialis gangeticus.
During the winter of 2007-2008 over 115 sub-adults and adult gharial died from kidney damage and chronic visceral and articular gout in the Chambal National Sanctuary of Northern India. The origin of the nephrotoxin is still unknown as is the mechanism by which the animals were exposed to it.
Though found in seven (7) different sanctuaries, there are less than 200 breeding adult gharial in the wild. The losses at the Chambal National Sanctuary could represent as high as 60% of that sanctuaries future breeding animals, putting the population at risk of extinction if extraordinary efforts are not made to save the remaining animals.
The veterinarian position will be based out of Etawah in the state of Uttar Pradesh providing assistance to field researchers by:
- Training others in crocodilian anatomy and physiology
- Conduct necropsies on gharial and other species found dead along the river
- Collect blood and/or tissue samples from dead or sick animals for further laboratory tests
- Monitor the health and welfare of gharial capture and released as a part of an on going telemetry project
- Provide written reports to the GCA
- And conduct other activities as required in supporting gharial conservation and determining the cause of gharial die-offs
The GCA wishes to thank the Cleveland Zoological Society for their continued support and the efforts of Sheena Koeth for making the grant possible.
