Two Gharial crocodiles die in Rajkot zoo

RAJKOT: In a shocking news for zoo officials, two Gharials (a species of crocodile) died on Sunday night at Rajkot zoological Park.

According to the zoo officials, the Gharials - one male and other female - were found dead on Monday morning. It was unexpected as they did not have any illness. The officials conducted post-mortem of the two Gharials but no reason was attributed to their death.

“Primarily it seems that the change in weather may have caused their death as there was no other reason or illness which could have caused their death. Sometimes, the species is very sensitive to high humidity and it may be the reasons,’’ one zoo official said.

“We have sent the viscera in Veterinary College in Anand to ascertain the exact cause their death. We want to know as what caused their sudden death,’’ Dr RK Hirpara, zoo superintendent, said.

The Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC), which manages the Rajkot Zoological Park, had brought the two Gharials from Lucknow zoological Garden in 2013. Both were 9 years old.

The Rajkot zoo has 128 animals and birds. There are 24 species of animals and birds at the zoo which is spread over an area of 55.37 ha. The zoo has lions, tigers, leopard, four-horned antelope, crocodiles, chinkaras, sambhars and blackbucks among others.

Zoo officials said that on an average, 1,200 visitors visit Rajkot zoo daily and on Sunday, the number shoots up to 3,000.