A pilot project launched by the Government for the conservation of ghariyals (a large Indian crocodile) in their natural habitat in the Chambal range will ensure that at least 200 of them are microchipped.

According to wildlife experts, the microchips attached to their body will not only trace their movements but will also keep a check on their changing health conditions.

The task is being under taken by Ghariyal Crisis Management Group (GCMG), formed by the Government of India following the recent deaths of ghariyals in the Etawah range. The Chambal range, consisting of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, has the largest concentration of the ghariyals. Around 800 of them in this area were declared as 'critically endangered' by the World Conservation Union. According to the Union, the National Chambal Sanctuary area has over 200 adult breeding ghariyals.

Apart from microchipping, the urine, blood and joint fluid samples of ghariyals are also being collected. According to experts, the exercise will help in preparing an extensive database of the species.

They said that through microchipping, the experts would have their health data and in case any of these animals die, they will be able to compare the changes in its anatomy and the other such conditions by comparing the medical data and post mortem report.

The microchipping exercise is being done by a team of experts, who have been camping in the area for the past fortnight. The experts include officials of the forest departments, apart from international crocodile experts like Dr Fritz Huchzermeyer (Vice-Chairman of the IUCN-Croc Specialist Group's Veterinary advisory group), Dr Paolo Martelli (Ocean Parks, Hong Kong), Dr Brian Stacy (a pathologist from the University of Florida) and Dr Samuel Martin (Director of La Ferme Aux Crocodiles, France). Other members of the team include Dr G Sudhakar of the National Chambal Sanctuary Project, Dr Jitendra Kumar of the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department, Dr Kajal Kumar Jadav, Veterinary Officer with NGO Wildlife SOS and Shailendra Singh (Madras Crocodile Bank Trust). These NGOs have joined hands together to form a Ghariyal Conservation Alliance (GCA).

... contd.