Stranded juvenile marsh crocodile rescued
December 08, 2012
Karachi
A juvenile marsh crocodile wandering in agricultural fields surrounding Makhi forests in Sanghar was rescued by a social welfare organisation on Friday.
According to WWF Pakistan officials, the activists of Makhi Development Organisation (MDO) found a stranded juvenile crocodile, which was being chased by wild dogs in the area.
The members of MDO and villagers, who saw this animal, said dogs were barking at the crocodile and it was growling at them. The animal was soon caught by the activists who then informed WWF-Pakistan office at Chotiari Wetlands Complex.
WWF-Pakistan team soon reached the spot and took the animal into its custody. They inspected the animal and found it in healthy condition. Later, WWF – P team along with MDO members released the animal in a protected crocodile habitat near Ghulam Hussain Leghari village.
President of MDO, Khalid Ali Leghari said they believed that animal might have floated into a small canal and was trying to make its way back.
Marsh Crocodile is commonly known as Mugger. Its biological name is Crocodylus palustris, locally known as “Wagu”; is found in Iran, Nepal, Sri Lanka, India and Pakistan.
In some countries such as Bhutan, Bangladesh and Myanmar, this animal has become extinct. In Pakistan, crocodiles are living in wild areas as well as in captivity. The animal’s maximum length is recorded up to 5 meters, however the average length is found at 3.9 meter (13 ft). Male crocodile is generally larger than female. Marsh crocodile have life span of about more than 40 years. They live in groups and communicate with each other through special sounds. The animal can survive in variety of habitats, e.g. fresh and brackish lakes, rivers, marshes, reservoirs, irrigation canals and also adopts itself in captivity in man-made ponds.
It can also survive even in coastal lagoons and estuaries. The largest wild habitats in Pakistan are Nara Wetland Complex and Chotiari Wetland Complex in Sindh and Hingol River in Baluchistan. Marsh crocodile inhabits a greater portion of the Nara Canal and Nara desert.
These crocodiles are often observed in the lakes where they breed, such as Nagiopir Lake where around 12 juvenile crocodiles were recorded early this year in January.
Wildlife organisations are in pursuit of declaring it a wildlife sanctuary along with Deh Akro which is thought to be the last resort of hope for these animals to survive. According to Saeed-ul-Islam, Senior Natural Resource Management Officer, Indus for All Program WWF–Pakistan at Chotiari site, Makhi Forest and Chotiari Wetlands Complex (Chotiari Reservoir) are still one of the best hot spot for variety of wildlife species e.g. Hogdeer, Smooth Coated Otter, Marsh crocodiles and migratory as well as local birds.
The rescued animal is included in CITES (Conservation on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora) Appendix I due to its skin trade all over the world.
The animal is declared vulnerable in the IUCN Red List 2009. Population of the animal is gradually declining due to habitat fragmentation, increase of human influence within their habitat for fishing practices and for wildlife trade. In early 2008 a dead crocodile stripped of its skin was found in Karachi, which showcases the level of exploitation. The marsh crocodile is hole-nesting species, which lays eggs during dry season in December and January. Female generally matures sexually at about the length of 1.5 – 2 meters.
A juvenile marsh crocodile wandering in agricultural fields surrounding Makhi forests in Sanghar was rescued by a social welfare organisation on Friday.
According to WWF Pakistan officials, the activists of Makhi Development Organisation (MDO) found a stranded juvenile crocodile, which was being chased by wild dogs in the area.
The members of MDO and villagers, who saw this animal, said dogs were barking at the crocodile and it was growling at them. The animal was soon caught by the activists who then informed WWF-Pakistan office at Chotiari Wetlands Complex.
WWF-Pakistan team soon reached the spot and took the animal into its custody. They inspected the animal and found it in healthy condition. Later, WWF – P team along with MDO members released the animal in a protected crocodile habitat near Ghulam Hussain Leghari village.
President of MDO, Khalid Ali Leghari said they believed that animal might have floated into a small canal and was trying to make its way back.
Marsh Crocodile is commonly known as Mugger. Its biological name is Crocodylus palustris, locally known as “Wagu”; is found in Iran, Nepal, Sri Lanka, India and Pakistan.
In some countries such as Bhutan, Bangladesh and Myanmar, this animal has become extinct. In Pakistan, crocodiles are living in wild areas as well as in captivity. The animal’s maximum length is recorded up to 5 meters, however the average length is found at 3.9 meter (13 ft). Male crocodile is generally larger than female. Marsh crocodile have life span of about more than 40 years. They live in groups and communicate with each other through special sounds. The animal can survive in variety of habitats, e.g. fresh and brackish lakes, rivers, marshes, reservoirs, irrigation canals and also adopts itself in captivity in man-made ponds.
It can also survive even in coastal lagoons and estuaries. The largest wild habitats in Pakistan are Nara Wetland Complex and Chotiari Wetland Complex in Sindh and Hingol River in Baluchistan. Marsh crocodile inhabits a greater portion of the Nara Canal and Nara desert.
These crocodiles are often observed in the lakes where they breed, such as Nagiopir Lake where around 12 juvenile crocodiles were recorded early this year in January.
Wildlife organisations are in pursuit of declaring it a wildlife sanctuary along with Deh Akro which is thought to be the last resort of hope for these animals to survive. According to Saeed-ul-Islam, Senior Natural Resource Management Officer, Indus for All Program WWF–Pakistan at Chotiari site, Makhi Forest and Chotiari Wetlands Complex (Chotiari Reservoir) are still one of the best hot spot for variety of wildlife species e.g. Hogdeer, Smooth Coated Otter, Marsh crocodiles and migratory as well as local birds.
The rescued animal is included in CITES (Conservation on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora) Appendix I due to its skin trade all over the world.
The animal is declared vulnerable in the IUCN Red List 2009. Population of the animal is gradually declining due to habitat fragmentation, increase of human influence within their habitat for fishing practices and for wildlife trade. In early 2008 a dead crocodile stripped of its skin was found in Karachi, which showcases the level of exploitation. The marsh crocodile is hole-nesting species, which lays eggs during dry season in December and January. Female generally matures sexually at about the length of 1.5 – 2 meters.
