Prague Zoo has long been collaborating with the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust, an institution focused on crocodile breeding and public environmental education. Together with this institution and other partners, we support the activities of the international network of conservationists and scientists leading the Gharial Ecology Project (formerly known as the Gharial Conservation Alliance).

Our support primarily includes funding of a range of activities in the Chambal region, from coordinating the project and monitoring efforts to capacity building and expanding educational programmes aimed at local communities, schools, and authorities, including conservation organisations.

Telemetry tracking of gharials fitted with radio transmitters on the Chambal River. Photo: Miroslav Bobek, Prague Zoo

Zoological research

Prague Zoo has been providing long-term support for field research on gharials, conducted under the supervision of the world-renowned gharial expert Dr Jeffrey W. Lang. A key element of the project is telemetry research, which involves tracking gharials fitted with radio transmitters, and which has yielded crucial—and often previously unknown—insights into their behaviour and reproduction. The findings are highly significant for the conservation of gharials and their potential reintroduction. It has been found that the stretches of river they use are remarkably extensive. To thrive, gharials require uninterrupted river sections several hundred kilometres long, free from dams, barrages, canals, intensive river traffic, or water extraction for irrigation. They migrate along these river stretches over great distances depending on the season. Of essential importance are undisturbed sandbanks, where gharials can lay eggs, and a varied riverbed—from shallow areas for basking to deep waters for hunting fish. Steeper banks also provide ideal sites for gharial nurseries, where adults guard newly hatched young.

Since 2017, a 425-kilometre stretch of the Chambal River—home to approximately 80 % of the global gharial population—has been monitored annually. During the most recent survey in 2024, the population was estimated at 1,734 individuals, including juveniles, and 436 nests were identified.

Support from Prague Zoo has also enabled a research into the specific underwater sounds produced by adult male gharials during the breeding season, whose production likely involves the cartilaginous protrusion on the adult male gharial’s nose, known as the ghara.

Tagging a gharial with a radio transmitter. Photo: Gharial Ecology Project

Awareness raising and conservation

Prague Zoo supports a wide range of environmental education programmes run by our local partners, targeting communities, schools, and authorities in areas inhabited by gharials. This support includes financial aid, capacity training and the development of educational materials. For example, we have created colouring books for Indian children and supported the publication of a training manual for local conservation staff. To support anti-poaching efforts, we funded a motorboat and other equipment for the gharial patrols, which monitor river activity and have, in some areas, successfully helped prevent the illegal collection of eggs.

Part of the funds we provide goes towards capacity building for conservation staff. Photo: Gharial Ecology Project

Gharials of Chambal. Colouring books for children in English and Hindi, the publication of which we supported