Kathmandu, Nov. 19 -- Conservationists from Zoological Society of London and Biodiversity Conservancy Nepal have discovered the first successful nesting and breeding site of gharial crocodiles in Nepal since 1982. More than 100 hatchings of the gharial was found in Bardia National Park, giving new hope to the conservation of the critically endangered species.

The findings of ZSL's EDGE (Evolutionary Distinct and Globally Endangered) of Existence was published by the IUCN SSC Crocodile Specialist Group last week. Only other population of gharial known to be breeding is in Chitwan National Park.

"Understanding whether gharials were breeding in Bardia National Park was considered to be a top priority for the species, as upcoming plans to ...