MP: 32 Alligators, One Crocodile Released Into Chambal River As Part Of Conservation Efforts

Morena (Madhya Pradesh): Thirty two alligators raised at conservation centre at Deori were released in Chambal River on Sunday. The 32 alligators released at Sarsaini Ghat include two females. A rescued crocodile was also released in the river.

This year 98 alligators raised since 2022 were to be released in Chambal river among which 25 were released on January 13. Now the number of alligators at the National Chambal Alligator Sanctuary is said to be over 2,512. Officials said 41 more alligators would be released in the sanctuary soon which will further increase their numbers in the river.

The team of Deori Alligator Conservation Centre reached Sarsaini Ghat and released the alligators and the crocodile under the guidance of sub divisional officer of forest department and superintendent of National Chambal Alligator Santuary Shyam Singh Chauhan. Officials informed that these alligators hatched from the eggs that were brought from different ghats along Chambal river in 2022.

In artificial environment, the life expectancy of alligators is expected to be 50 per cent while it is only 2 per cent in their natural environment. The alligators are released at the sanctuary after their length reaches 1.20 metres. They are being monitored for a year through a tag, which is attached on their tails. Their activities, routine, food and habitat are being observed, officials added.

During a survey and count of the extinct aquatic animals between 1975 and 1977, 45 alligators were found in Chambal among 200 of them found in the world. The 435-kiolmetre area of Chambal was then declared alligator sanctuary and mining of sand and soil was banned for their preservation. The sanctuary includes areas of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. Moreover, a conservation centre was also opened in Deori. Since 1980, forest department collected 200 alligator eggs and kept them at the centre.