Meet The Endangered: Gharial
Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus)
The majestic Gharial was once ubiquitous on the fluvial northern Indian subcontinent - from the Indus to the Ganges to the Irrawaddy. By the 1970s, however, human activity had reduced these long-snouted crocodilians to 2% of their former range. Fewer than 800 individuals remain.
A thoroughly aquatic species, these specialist feeders thrive on a diet of fish. Its thin razor-toothed jaws cut though the water like an ichthyic scythe - harvesting its prey, which it swallows whole.
Historically the Gharial was hunted itself - by humans. But now the largest threat to its survival is the poisoning of its riverine habitat. In 2008 111 individuals were found dead, the cause later revealed to be heavy metal poisoning.
Reintroduction efforts have nevertheless been going well as of late. In 2023 the Gharial was spotted for the first time in decades in Pakistan, part of its former range. It was there that the ancient Indus Valley Civilization depicted them on cylinder seals 4,000 years ago, merrily munching on fish.
IUCN: Critically Endangered (CE)