All of us from the Crocodilian
and Freshwater Turtle Research and Conservation Project wish our readers a very
happy 2014. Our 2013 season has been outstanding to say the least. We spent the beginning of 2013 over the months
of January, February and March estimating gharial numbers in the Corbett
National Park of Corbett Tiger Reserve. During this period we censused the
Ramganga River, Dhikala, Takia Sot and Boksar. While surveys on the Ramganga
River were mainly foot surveys we used our inflatable boat with it’s Torqeedo
1003s Electric Boat Engine to survey most of the reservoir sections. Counting
crocs in Corbett was all about new discoveries and new methodologies this
season. We are pioneering the use of trail cameras in our estimation work at
Dhikala and our initial results have been way beyond expectations. Our improved
counting methods and increased familiarity with the study area has helped us
detect more adults in Corbett National Park as compared to 2008. The adult
population figures here indicate an increase by 17% between 2008 to 2013.
.tif) |
| An Adult Male Gharial in Corbett |
.tif) |
| An Adult Female in Corbett |
Our research paper documenting
our multi – method approach in estimating adult gharials is now available for the larger audience in the International Journal of Biodiversity and Conservation http://www.academicjournals.org/article/article1390930957_Chowfin%20and%20Leslie.pdf
In
this manuscript we focus on our methodology with Dhikala as our study site incorporating
trail cameras, boat surveys along the shoreline and stationary counts to arrive
at our population estimate here.
 |
| Our inflatable boat with a Torqeedo 1003s Electric Boat engine helps us access shallower sections of the shoreline during estimation work |
 |
| Time lapse trail cameras are used in our multi - method approach for counting adult gharial. |
Our nesting surveys this time
round were a roaring success with about 350-400 gharial babies hatching in
Boksar alone. If you recall through 2008 to 2012, we detected depredation of
most of our egg clutches by Monitor Lizards and speculated on these high
predation rates being a derived state linked to reservoir dynamics. Well our
findings in 2013 where no predation occurred of gharial egg clutches
strengthens our view that reservoir dynamics play a vital role in regeneration
of the species in Corbett.
 |
| Gharial Hatchlings in Corbett |
 |
| Parental care of gharial hatchlings in Corbett |
We have also started counting our
mugger population in Corbett and alongwith our freshwater turtle surveys where
we have documented Ganges Softshell Turtles, P. Tentoria and M. trijuga this
far alongwith a turtle nesting area at Dhikala one could say 2013 has been
action packed if not the least.
 |
| Mugger in Corbett |
The Columbus Zoo continues with
its support to our work in Corbett over 2014 for which the Corbett Team is
extremely grateful to them. Our supporters till 2013 have been the Columbus
Zoo, MBZ Species Conservation Fund, The Rufford Small Grants Foundation, the PPG Conservation and Sustainability Fund, the CZS CBOT Endangered Species Fund, Idea
Wild and WWF – India and we are specially grateful to them. The Gadoli and
Manda Khal Wildlife Conservation Trust continues to support our work in Corbett
over the 2014-2015 season.
Our work has also been featured
on Dr. Adam Britton’s Croc Log Podcast http://crocodilian.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/croclog-podcast-episode-12.html as well as on the Daily Mail UK http://www.dailymail.co.uk/
Well counting season is coming up
again and we head into the field within a week or two and this time round the
Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary of Corbett Tiger Reserve is also to be surveyed as
part of our work here.
Should you wish to support our
project with funds for logistic and operational costs or equipment please do
email me at schowfin@yahoo.com
