HOME, NEW HOME: A gharial basking in the sun at the Indira Gandhi Zoological Park in the city. — Photo: K.R. Deepak

VISAKHAPATNAM: The disproportionately slender snout nudges out of the water, disturbed by the mild sounds of curious visitors who break their peaceful afternoon siesta.

After a few thrusts in the water, the group of crocodiles slowly comes out to bask in the sun, sometimes showing its two rows of razor sharp teeth. Languidly lazing around, unperturbed by any distractions, they remain as still as a stone. The six new `gharials' are the new inmates of the Indira Gandhi Zoological Park, who arrived here all the way from the Patna Zoo a week ago.

These three and half year old crocodiles are four feet long. "The gharials are brought in exchange of sloth bear from the Patna Zoo," zoo curator B. Vijay Kumar told The Hindu .

Difficult task

The zoo, at present, has nine gharials, including the six recently added ones. Sending crocodiles under exchange programmes is a difficult task as they have to be sent carefully in specially made boxes with provision for ventilation and water.

Unique to the Indian subcontinent, the gharials or fresh water crocodiles are found in the Ganges. Their main habitat is the Chambal, Girwa and Narayani rivers of the Ganga system. "Unlike salt-water crocodiles, gharials consume only fish. Right now the six newly added gharials are fed with live fish till they get accustomed to their new surroundings," he said.

Endangered animals

This gentle crocodile breed has become one of the most endangered large animals in India. The gharials require deep, free-flowing rivers unfettered by dams and barrages. The water has to be clean and clear for its fishy prey to breed. The gharial must have undisturbed sand banks to bask and nest. An adult gharial can grow up to six metres and survives for about 40 years. Each female gharial can lay 50-70 eggs.

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