Kasara: The Gharial Breeding Center located in Kasara, adjacent to the Chitwan National Park, has successfully reported the hatching of 202 baby crocodiles from eggs collected along the banks of the Rapti River.
According to National News Agency Nepal, a total of 232 crocodile eggs were collected from seven nests along the riverbanks. These eggs were gathered as part of a conservation effort at the Crocodile Breeding Centre within the Chitwan National Park area. Of the collected eggs, 20 were incubated in laboratory conditions, resulting in 19 successful hatchlings, while the remainder hatched naturally at the breeding center.
The collection of eggs commenced on March 15, with the aim of protecting them from threats such as snakes, birds, other animals, and river flooding. The natural incubation of crocodile eggs is challenged by their vulnerability and the difficulty in finding suitable incubation temperatures, which contributes to a low natural breeding rate.
Last year, the center collected 247 eggs from eight nests along the same riverbank. The Gharial Breeding Center employs six staff members dedicated to collecting and managing crocodile eggs. The center has been operational since 1978, with the first batch of hatchlings released into rivers in 1981.
The reared hatchlings from the center are released into different rivers, including the Narayani, Rapti, and Karnali. In recent years, releases have been concentrated in the Rapti and Narayani rivers.