May 27th 2024.
Great news for all animal lovers! According to sources, a female gharial in Baladamada, located in the stunning Satkosia gorge, welcomed 35 adorable hatchlings into the world last Thursday. This marks the fourth successful natural hatching in the area after a long 40-year gap. It's truly a cause for celebration as it shows the positive impact of conservation efforts in this habitat.
Last March, a female gharial laid eggs in Baladamada. The eggs were expected to hatch within a month, but due to the extreme heat, there was a delay. This caused concern for the dedicated wildlife department, who have been tirelessly working to support gharial breeding in the area. To ensure the safety of these precious creatures, activities like fishing and boating were strictly prohibited in the core areas.
Despite the delay, the Satkosia wildlife staff were overjoyed when the 35 hatchlings finally made their appearance. The Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary, which falls under the Mahanadi Wildlife Division and Angul Forest Division, initiated a gharial conservation project in Tikarpada back in 1975. The main goal was to increase the gharial population in the Mahanadi River. As part of this project, a research centre and a conservation centre were also established in Tikarpada.
However, despite these efforts, the gharial population in Satkosia did not see a significant increase, which raised concerns among experts. In 2020, several male and female gharials were released into the gorge for artificial breeding, and their activities were closely monitored. And finally, in 2022, for the first time, a female gharial in Baladamada gave birth to 28 hatchlings, bringing hope to the conservation efforts.
The good news continued in May 2022 when another female gharial was spotted playing with 30 hatchlings, as announced by the wildlife department. And just recently, in May 2023, another 35 gharial hatchlings were born, spreading even more joy in Satkosia. This consistent and consecutive birth of gharials is a clear indication of the success of the breeding efforts in this region. May has become a special month for Satkosia, as it welcomes the birth of these precious creatures every year.
The wildlife department is currently focusing on the protection and well-being of these hatchlings. With their continued efforts and the support of animal lovers, we hope to see the gharial population grow and thrive in Satkosia gorge. Let's all join hands in preserving and protecting these beautiful creatures for future generations to appreciate and admire.
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