CHITWAN, FEBRUARY 14

Fifty-two gharials bred at the Crocodile Breeding Center in Kasara, Chitwan National Park (CNP), were recently released into various rivers across the country.

According to Saroj Mani Poudel, the CNP's assistant conservation officer, 12 have been released into the Rapti River and 20 each into the Koshi and Narayani rivers. He stated that another 30 crocodiles will be released into the Rapti River soon.

So far, the total 1,657 crocodiles have been released into various rivers (867 into Rapti, 419 into Narayani, 110 into Babai, 115 into Saptakoshi, 41 into Karnali and 35 into Kaligandaki), he said, adding that 258 hatchlings have been hatched in seven habitats at the Rapti and Narayani rivers.

At present, 450 crocodiles including 13 adult ones and only one male gharial have remained at the Centre.

Meanwhile, Chief Conservation Officer, the CNP Hari Bhadra Acharya has sought help and support of all to protect crocodiles.