The Secret Life of Gharials along the Chambal: Mobile Moms, Baby Crèches, and Defensive Dads
Speaker: Prof. Jeffrey W. Lang, Professor Emeritus, Dept. of Biology, U. North Dakota, USA; Madras Crocodile Bank Trust, Tamil Nadu and Gharial Ecology Project
Chair: Adv. Gopal Subramaniam, former Solicitor General of India
The talk will focus on the Gharial Ecology Project (GEP) and cover Prof. Lang’s long journey in building a model project for wildlife conservation. Beginning in 2008, the project has studied gharials, a unique fish-eating crocodilian inhabiting south Asia and now restricted to only a few populations in India and Nepal. In its 17th field season, the GEP has been assessing the status, health, and well-being of the Chambal gharial; identifying and protecting critical riverine habitats; and reducing threats and challenges to the continued survival of gharial. The talk will cover the processes adopted, behavioral observations of gharials and community involvement
(Collaboration: Business and Community Foundation; and Gharial Ecology Project)
