The Fort Worth Zoo has welcomed eight gharial hatchlings this summer, marking the fourth consecutive year the zoo has successfully bred the critically endangered crocodilian species, the zoo announced Wednesday.
The hatchlings were born between June 3 and June 26 from eggs representing the genetic material of two female gharials. The new arrivals have more than doubled the zoo’s juvenile gharial population.
Zoo Marks Four Consecutive Years Of Success
Fort Worth Zoo is the only institution in North America to have successfully produced gharial offspring in consecutive years.
The latest births result from more than 15 years of work focused on breeding the species, expanding its population, and increasing genetic diversity.
Zoo staff have made small changes to the breeding, incubation, and husbandry processes each year. While experts cannot identify one specific adjustment responsible for this year’s hatching rate, they believe the cumulative effect of those changes has contributed to the continued success.
Gharials Face Critical Conservation Challenges
Gharials are among the largest crocodilian species and are recognizable by their long, narrow snouts.
The species is classified as critically endangered, with habitat destruction and pollution among the threats to its survival. Hatchlings are slightly more than 12 inches long, while adult males can reach about 16 feet and weigh nearly 1,500 pounds.
Vicky Poole, associate curator of ectotherms at the Fort Worth Zoo, said each successful hatch provides another opportunity for staff to improve their breeding techniques and learn more about the species.
Hatchlings Will Remain Behind The Scenes
The eight young gharials will remain off exhibit while zoo staff closely monitor their growth and development.
The zoo’s adult gharial habitat opened in 2010 outside the Museum of Living Art and was designed to support conservation and breeding efforts.
Juvenile gharials born in previous years can be seen in the indoor habitat at the Museum of Living Art. The Fort Worth Zoo said it is currently the only place in North America where visitors can observe juvenile gharials of this critically endangered species.
Provided by Dallas Express
