A micro-pill for the health of Chambal’s ghariyals

Over 200 ghariyals will now have microchips embedded in their throats. The chips will be inserted through their mouths.

The operation is being under taken by the Ghariyal Crisis Management Group (GCMG) formed by the Centre following the recent deaths of ghariyals in the Etawah range.

The Chambal range, which straddles Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, has the highest concentration of ghariyals. These reptiles — around 800 of them — were declared as “critically endangered” by the World Conservation Union. According to the union, the National Chambal Sanctuary area has over 200 adult ghariyals.

Samples of urine, blood and joint fluid have also been collected. According to experts, the exercise will help in preparing an extensive database of the ghariyals.

The microchips will not only help trace the movement of ghariyals, since they would incorporate the health data of the reptile as well, the experts will be able to monitor its condition. It would also help in the postmortem if they should die.

Forest officials said they will try to ensure that samples are taken regularly for proper health records.

The experts, who have been camping in the area for a fortnight now, includes forest department officials as well as 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). The NGOs have joined hands to form the Ghariyal Conservation Alliance (GCA).