Gharials at their enclosure in Patna zoo. Some of the younger reptiles would soon be relocated. Picture by Nagendra Kumar Singh

Patna, Feb. 29: It’s a problem of plenty for Patna zoo as far as the gharial count is concerned. The authorities of Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park, better known as Patna zoo, have now come up with a proposal to relocate the excess number of gharials in their enclosure.

The zoo authorities have decided to set up a new enclosure for gharials near the existing pond of the zoo. The officials have taken the decision, as rehabilitating zoo gharials in the wild is a cumbersome process requiring many clearances.

Patna zoo director Abhay Kumar has recently sent a proposal in this regard to Central Zoo Authority (CZA), the final authority, for permission to rehabilitate zoo animals in the wild. However, getting permission from the CZA might take some time.

Realising the present situation, zoo authorities have decided to set up a new enclosure for gharials so that the young ones could be transferred. Chances of the young ones being attacked by the adults are very high.

Abhay told The Telegraph: “The gharial enclosure is overcrowded and it has crossed its capacity. Lack of space and overpopulation is resulting in infighting. To deal with this issue, we have decided to set up a new enclosure in an existing pond near the aquarium.”

He added: “Overcrowding in the enclosure is a serious problem. We have not allowed mating for the past two years in the enclosure to avoid more overcrowding. We have surveyed the pond vicinity and before the next financial year, the new enclosure would be ready for relocation of the gharials. We can transfer at least 40 gharials in it.”

Giving reasons for coming out with such a proposal, Abhay said: “Incidence of infighting in the enclosure is on rise. Against the capacity to house 30, there are 90 gharials in the enclosure at present.”

Though the zoo authorities have decided to set up the new enclosure, the director also said there was possibility of rehabilitating the zoo gharials in the wild.

“I have sent the proposal to CZA. We are also in touch with experts regarding rehabilitating the gharials in the wild. Gandak river in West Champaran is a place where these animals can be rehabilitated, as the river is considered their natural habitat,” said Abhay.

He added: “In fact, we have decided the place where these gharials would be rehabilitated in river Gandak. Post-release monitoring is very important too. We cannot just release them in Gandak without doing our groundwork.”

According to the proposal, at least 50 to 60 gharials, between four to six years of age, belonging to Patna zoo, can be rehabilitated in the Gandak.

“The gharial count is coming down as many of the young ones die because of infighting. If nothing is done to rehabilitate these gharials, the count would plummet further,” Abhay added.