Status and conservation of crocodiles in the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, eastern Nepal

Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve is an area of 175km2 on the alluvial flood plains of the Koshi River in eastern Nepal. Surveys of crocodiles in the Koshi River and its surrounding areas in the reserve were conducted in winter and spring 2008 using direct observation and questionnaires besides literatu...

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Main Authors: R.K. Goit, K. Basnet
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wildlife Information Liaison Development Society 2011-08-01
Series:Journal of Threatened Taxa
Online Access:http://threatenedtaxa.org/index.php/JoTT/article/view/692
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author R.K. Goit
K. Basnet
author_facet R.K. Goit
K. Basnet
author_sort R.K. Goit
collection DOAJ
description Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve is an area of 175km2 on the alluvial flood plains of the Koshi River in eastern Nepal. Surveys of crocodiles in the Koshi River and its surrounding areas in the reserve were conducted in winter and spring 2008 using direct observation and questionnaires besides literature reviews. Observations were done during the day using binoculars and photo shoots and sites were visited by boat, bicycle and also on foot. Although both Gavialis gangeticus and Crocodylus palustris were previously found in the reserve, only C. palustris was found in this study. The numbers of C. palustris were higher in the winter season - early January (21) than in the spring - mid March (5). The destruction and degradation of crocodiles in the reserve has been caused by various human activities such as wood collection, cattle grazing, fishing, as well as by some natural processes. The success of conservation programs depends upon awareness creation and the development of a positive attitude in the local people towards the species. During this study, most of the respondents from the local community as well as the Reserve staff were positive towards the conservation of C. palustris. This is important as it has its own role in the ecosystem. Continuous release and trans-boundary conservation efforts should be initiated for the protection of G. gangeticus.
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spelling doaj.art-f0ad11d16c19442bbe611521b2c172f02022-12-21T20:32:08ZengWildlife Information Liaison Development SocietyJournal of Threatened Taxa0974-78930974-79072011-08-01382001201010.11609/JoTT.o2735.2001-10678Status and conservation of crocodiles in the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, eastern NepalR.K. GoitK. BasnetKoshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve is an area of 175km2 on the alluvial flood plains of the Koshi River in eastern Nepal. Surveys of crocodiles in the Koshi River and its surrounding areas in the reserve were conducted in winter and spring 2008 using direct observation and questionnaires besides literature reviews. Observations were done during the day using binoculars and photo shoots and sites were visited by boat, bicycle and also on foot. Although both Gavialis gangeticus and Crocodylus palustris were previously found in the reserve, only C. palustris was found in this study. The numbers of C. palustris were higher in the winter season - early January (21) than in the spring - mid March (5). The destruction and degradation of crocodiles in the reserve has been caused by various human activities such as wood collection, cattle grazing, fishing, as well as by some natural processes. The success of conservation programs depends upon awareness creation and the development of a positive attitude in the local people towards the species. During this study, most of the respondents from the local community as well as the Reserve staff were positive towards the conservation of C. palustris. This is important as it has its own role in the ecosystem. Continuous release and trans-boundary conservation efforts should be initiated for the protection of G. gangeticus.http://threatenedtaxa.org/index.php/JoTT/article/view/692
spellingShingle R.K. Goit
K. Basnet
Status and conservation of crocodiles in the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, eastern Nepal
Journal of Threatened Taxa
title Status and conservation of crocodiles in the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, eastern Nepal
title_full Status and conservation of crocodiles in the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, eastern Nepal
title_fullStr Status and conservation of crocodiles in the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, eastern Nepal
title_full_unstemmed Status and conservation of crocodiles in the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, eastern Nepal
title_short Status and conservation of crocodiles in the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, eastern Nepal
title_sort status and conservation of crocodiles in the koshi tappu wildlife reserve eastern nepal
url http://threatenedtaxa.org/index.php/JoTT/article/view/692
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