Gharial hatchlings released into Babai River

Bardiya, Dec. 27: Young gharial hatchlings at the Crocodile Breeding Centre in Bardiya National Park have been released into their natural habitat in the Babai River.

Bardiya National Park (BNP) organised a programme to release the hatchlings at the breeding centre located within the park office premises. 

A total of 10 gharial — five males and five females, all under four years old– were released near Parewa Odar along the Babai River on Thursday.

The park has been releasing gharials bred at the centre into natural habitats almost every year. Gharials released into the Babai River at different times can also be seen by visitors from the Babai River bridge on the East-West Highway.

Gharials bred at the centre are usually released into the river after four to five years. 

Sarojmani Paudel, Information Officer at BNP, said the gharials were released into the Babai River as they need to be returned to their natural habitat at the appropriate time.

Chief Conservation Officer Ashok Ram said that when gharials bred at the centre are released into the wild, they grow and thrive naturally.