Best Months to Spot
Most sightings recorded in Feb. Data from GBIF - a global database of verified wildlife observations by researchers and citizen scientists.
Conservation Status
Conservation hubFaces an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.
The gharial faces severe threats from habitat loss due to dam construction and pollution, as well as accidental entanglement in fishing nets. Conservation efforts have focused on captive breeding and reintroduction programs, which have shown some success in specific areas. Responsible tourism can help by supporting local communities and raising awareness, indirectly contributing to the protection of gharial habitats and reducing human-wildlife conflict.
The gharial, also known as gavial or fish-eating crocodile, is a crocodilian in the family Gavialidae and among the longest of all living crocodilians. Mature females are 2.6 to 4.5 m long, and males 3 to 6 m. Adult males have a distinct boss at the end of the snout, which resembles an earthenware pot known as a ghara, hence the name "gharial". The gharial is well adapted to catching fish because of its long, narrow snout and 110 sharp, interlocking teeth.
Description adapted from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to Find
Top parks for Gharial. Sightings recorded in 33 safari areas total.
Best Safari Destinations
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