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CROCODOPOLIS world of crocodilians TM SCIENCE · CULTURE · INDUSTRY · NEWS · COMMUNICATION · CONSERVATION
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SCIENCE
June 5, 2007
GHARIAL
CONSERVATION ALLIANCE
(Formerly known as Gharial Multi-Task Force)
NEWSLETTER Number Four/ June 2007
Dear GMTF Members, What can I say? Returning back
from In this newsletter, GMTF Office Coordinator Laurel Converse and self are compiling the relevant news, news links, important emails and GMTF activities since last December and providing you a summary. But before that, here’s some wisdom that has filtered in from colleagues who are putting a lot of thought into planning a future for the gharial: 1. Propose and insist on a moratorium on further gharial releases unless habitats have been secured, the river people are taken on board in support of the programme and scientifically planned post release monitoring of released gharial is guaranteed. What we should have learned from past (negative) experience is that we must adhere to the IUCN Reintroduction Guidelines to secure the future of the gharial. 2. We need a permanent team of
scientists on the rivers to both undertake the studies recommended in
our River Watch deliberations (most of which were suggested as far back
as 1980) and to monitor a worsening situation in terms of habitat loss
and lawlessness. There needs to be a core group of scientists, with a
regular flow of Junior and Senior Research Fellows, coupled with part
time consultants in the fields of social science, hydrology, limnology
and other pertinent disciplines. 3. The future of rivers
important to river people and the gharial (and of course river dolphins,
otters, turtles, fish and migratory birds) needs to be expertly assessed
and prediction models for 10, 20 and 50 years created. In the light of
planned irrigation projects, continuing flood/drought events and the
disaster in the making called ‘river interlinking’, we need to decide
exactly what energy has to be spent in which directions if the rivers
themselves are to even survive! Feedback is always welcome, action is even more welcome. Rom Whitaker Laurel Converse 1. Fundraising - John Brueggen, at the St.
Augustine Alligator Farm, - Roland Wirth and colleagues
via ZGAP (Zoological Society for Conservation of Species and
Populations), - Don Boyer and colleagues via the Gharial Conservation Fund at San Diego Zoo have raised an additional $ 20,500 in 2007 - Rene Hedegaard of the Danish Croc Zoo donated $2600 - Eddy Even and Florian
Haselbarth raised Euros 550 at the - Terry Cullen, Director,
Cullen Vivarium Wildlife Conservancy, We are in the process of
prioritizing gharial conservation work for 2007/8 and the Core Group
will soon deliberate on plans for the coming winter surveys, education
and extension programmes. We will keep you informed as to where the
money is being spent and the outcome of the field-work being supported
by many generous donors. 2. Grants: We have recently applied for the following grants.
3.
Disbursement of Funds (current exchange rate is about Rs.40 per 1US$ and
about Rs.54 per Euro): Based on gharial conservation project work approved by the GMTF Core Group last December, these are the funds that have been disbursed since then:
4. Projects approved but remaining to be done: Regrettably all that was planned for last winter, particularly surveys of important or potentially important gharial habitats, could not be done for various reasons, most importantly personnel and permissions. These shortcomings will be made up for in the coming winter, the best time for gharial surveys, including: 1.
2. 3. Ganga/Gandak in 4. Kuno and Kali Sind (tributaries of the Chambal) 5. Ken and Son in M.P. 6. Indus in Activities to do
over the next year:
Besides the basic surveys of
gharial numbers, R.J. Rao and others suggest several other priority
activities, based on previous recommendations and our discussions at the
last
1.
Hire permanent
field staff in critical gharial habitats to monitor the gharial
population because just an annual survey is inadequate.
2.
Monitor gharial
nesting, hatching, fate of the hatchlings and recruitment rate.
3.
Monitor
released gharial in a carefully designed marking and telemetric study
4.
Monitor human
activities and their impact on gharial population.
5.
Study the
socio-economic situation that would suggest livelihood alternatives for
local people
6.
Study, develop
and implement an aggressive education campaign in gharial areas 5. Publicity-IGUANA magazine - John Binns of the International Reptile Conservation Foundation has been very supportive of our publicity and fundraising activities by providing space on his website and magazine IGUANA. The latest issue of Iguana features a cover article on the plight of the gharial Check Volume 14, Number 1, March 2007 and don’t miss their website: www.IRCF.org. John has added an informative section on the gharial and work of the GMTF, including links to related articles. He has also added the GMTF to his donation page of the website. As our own website is not up and running yet this will provide a much needed link for information and donations. John writes: “It is our aim to help support the Gharial effort by assisting to develop awareness and hopefully contributions. Our March 2007 issue will feature Rom’s Gharial update. We’re well along on our Gharial web-section development, which includes: a donation port (receipts will be transferred to GMTF); a merchandise store; download section; photo gallery, news and events, etc. We still need to develop and create a Gharial information package we can use to handout at shows, events, etc. Needless to say we’re working on other ideas to assist. Lastly, we’ll exploit some our websites to promote the Gharial and GMTF, one of which has a hit-rate between 600K and 750K per month.” -Sanctuary Asia magazine,
Vol.XXVI No.5, October, 2006 – “Sanctuary Campaign” –“Gharials: Going,
Going, Gone?” pp.96 and 97, by GMTF members. Editor Bittu Sahgal is
another ultra-supportive colleague who has opened his ‘Kids for Tigers’
campaign to create awareness for the plight of the gharial. This linkage
to thousands of school children is invaluable. -The Hindu Newspaper, October 8, 2006 – “Gharial on the Brink” p.7 by R.Whitaker and J.Lenin. This is one of the main Indian newspapers that is read by decision makers and taken seriously. -Hornbill magazine,
Bombay Natural History Society, July-September, 2006 – Cover story “Save
the Gharials” pp. 4-9, by R.Whitaker and GMTF members. This is -Down to Earth magazine,
November 30, 2006 – Cover story “Too Well Heeled” pp.42-49 by Kirtiman
Awasthi, with inputs from GMTF members (the few glitches you may find
therein may kindly be excused). This is -BBC Wildlife magazine, June 2007 – “From the Jaws of Extinction” pp.60-65 by J. Lenin. This is one of the ‘must read’ wildlife magazines in the world and excellent publicity for GMTF, River Watch and the gharial itself. -Times
of -The Telegraph,
-Bruce
Shwedick (Crocodile Conservation Services,
informal presentations via his Crocodile Encounters talks in the -R.J. Rao writes: In Jiwaji University we prepared a brochure on the conservation value of gharial in the National Chambal Sanctuary. Also a
poster has been prepared on the threats to gharial and its habitat for
display in the International conference on Rivers held at -D. Basu prepared a gharial publicity leaflet/poster in Hindi during 2006 which has been widely distributed in gharial areas. He also informs us about a Hindi booklet 'Gharial conservation at Kukkrail -the success story' published by the Endangered Species Project, UPFD And see below under “Zoos” (and let me know if I’ve
left out any other publicity any of you might have implemented in the
past 6 months, we want to hear about it!) 6. GMTF
Website: The GMTF website is in the final stages of development. Yes, we know we’ve said this before, but after many rounds of revisions, additions, and revamping we are finally at the stage of handing it over to a professional web development group to finalize technical aspects, such as an online donations site, and put it online. A professional photographer and web designer based in Chennai, Saravana Kumar, has been working with us to design and edit the site. Many thanks, Sara! We will of course be sending out a celebratory posting to the GMTF
email group when it is finally online.
7. Zoos and Gharial
Conservation:
Ivan Rehak,
EAZA reports: -Ivan Rehak and Ralf Sommerlad have submitted a proposal to WAZA to launch a crocodilian conservation campaign, including a gharial conservation project. As there are already a few conservation projects planned for 2007 and 2008 this most likely may not occur until 2009. 1. First steps
taken towards a EAZA crocodile campaign – a presentation to EAZA
members, information sent to EAZA Proceedings, ARTAG support for
campaign, informal communication with key EAZA persons. [This is a major
achievement as competing for EAZA’s attention are also other taxa in
need of conservation.]
2. As part of the strategy
to get zoos more involved in the gharial campaign, the Prague Zoo has
expressed interest in obtaining captive bred gharials from 3. Ivan submitted
a proposal to WAZA to adopt a gharial resolution (see below). Word is
awaited on the outcome.
4. The Planned future
activities:
1. End of March 2007: initiate a gharial
conservation working group in IUCN/SSC/CBSG to facilitate a WAZA
resolution.
2. July 2007 - Prague Zoo pavilion for gharials
opening: great opportunity to explain to wide public (opening ceremony,
press releases, TV talks etc.) gharial problems and conservation needs,
publicize and launch our support for gharial conservation/GMTF, opening
ceremony give chance to invite important people, to persuade chiefs and
sponsors etc. (unfortunately this great
initiative was held up because of bureaucratic delays in issuing permits
on the India side – RW) 3. August 2007:
CBSG Annual Meeting - gharial working group to evaluate resolution draft
- goal: addressing WAZA with request to adopt gharial resolution. 4. August 2007:
WAZA Annual Conference: WAZA to adopt gharial resolution and associated
issues - addressing WAZA members to provide all possible resources to
gharial conservation (and perhaps some direct WAZA project?) - very
important to persuade zoo directors to act for gharial conservation, a
good pretext to alert directors of gharial keeping zoos and unite them
for action, important (although not a condition) for approval of
intended EAZA campaign. 5. September 2007:
EAZA Annual Meeting: To try to ensure the next available campaign is for
crocodiles. 6. September 2008
(hopefully) Launch of the EAZA campaign in coordination with GMTF to
prepare project to be approved for EAZA support. 7. After campaign:
to allocate significant financial resources to gharial conservation/GMTF
project(s). 8. Future: A
continuing conservation co-operation with the Prague Zoo and the EAZA
ARTAG.
WAZA Resolution on the Gharial
Extinction Crisis
Recognizing:
•
That the gharial (Gavialis
gangeticus), being the most unique
crocodilian species of extraordinary conservation value, represents an
irreplaceable heritage of global importance;
•
That past
conservation efforts to save gharials has completely failed to ensure
its long-term survival;
•
That gharials face an immediate extinction crisis
in its last refugia in
•
That the gharial has
become by far the rarest and most endangered large animal species of the
Indian subcontinent;
•
That only an
immediate complex conservation action in gharial´s range countries with
wide international perception, support and co-ordination can reverse
imminent extinction;
•
That the factors
behind the extinction are known, but this knowledge is not reflected in
real gharial conservation at present;
•
That the gharial is
a flagship species for conservation of the whole of its disappearing
riverine habitat and associate wild community including a number of
other critically endangered species like river dolphins, otters, fish
and turtles;
•
That WAZA with its
strong conservation mission may come to the aid of the gharial and
promote all measures to prevent its extinction.
Therefore WAZA: Recognizes the significance and urgency of the gharial´s
•
ongoing extinction
spasm;
•
Acknowledges the pioneering efforts of various
institutions and individuals (
•
Recognizes that the
world zoo-community has significant potential to draw wide public
attention to the gharial extinction crisis and accelerate and facilitate
conservation efforts;
•
Recognizes that its members have skills and
abilities to link their conservation mission and
ex situ
experience with
in situ
conservation, in the accordance with the WZACS;
•
Urges its members,
both associations and individual institutions, to support conservation
efforts to ensure the gharial´s survival in these desperate times. • There are many ways in which members can contribute – spreading alarm on the gharial´s terrible troubles, financial and material support for gharial conservation, direct co-operation with in situ projects. • WAZA commits itself to encourage its members to contribute;
•
WAZA will liaise and
will collaborate with
the relevant bodies
established by IUCN and its partners to confront the ongoing extinction
of gharial. (Drafted by Ivan Rehak, Don Boyer,
San Diego Zoo, explains the crucial role of “While
the critical work to protect gharials from extinction in the wild is
most needed in their native habitat, Another
objective of possibility. To accomplish this
the current The
GMTF acknowledges the leading role that 8.
REPORT ON A VISIT TO INTRODUCTION: A team comprised of Mr. Harry
Andrews, formerly of the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust, and Mr. D. Basu,
State Executive Collaborator, Turtle and Crocodile Conservation Project,
Uttar Pradesh visited West Bengal from the 14 to 21 January 2007. The
purpose was to assess possibilities of reviving/consolidation
conservation of the gharial and river terrapin, as part of the ongoing
Croc Bank project for conservation of crocodilians and turtles in KUNJANAGAR
ECO-TOURISM CENTRE, JALDAPARA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY We visited Kunjanagar Eco-tourism Centre in the Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary to examine the captive gharial facilities that have been established there. Some of the gharials, acquired from Uttar Pradesh, have been retained at this centre to develop a captive breeding group. The oval shaped enclosure (25 x 20 m) is fenced with 1.7 m high chain-link. The base of the fencing is 1 m above ground level. An inner chain link fence 0.90 m high at a distance of 0.90 m from the outer fencing deters gharial from escaping from the enclosure. A strip of land 2.5 m wide surrounds the oval pool whose edge runs parallel to the fence. A shallow area, 0.75 m deep and 0.90 m wide, gradually slopes to a maximum depth of 3 m at the centre. There is no drainage system; wastewater is emptied by pumping. Dr. P. Mandal, Veterinarian, who is in charge of husbandry operations, informed us that they were rearing 5 gharials (four are 2.5 to 2.75 m and one is 2.1 m in length) in the pool. Because of disturbance caused by visitors and since it was close to sunset, we were able to observe only one gharial. Dr. Mandal said that he was not aware of the sex ratio of the stock, as sexual dimorphism had not become evident yet. The gharial had been procured about five years ago and no breeding or nesting has been witnessed so far. Impressions and remarks: With a few modifications the facility is quite suitable for successful captive breeding. Visitor access to the enclosure, which is open on all sides, has to be regulated to keep disturbance to tolerable levels. A hatchling/juvenile husbandry facility can be constructed adjoining the breeding enclosure. Sand banks, to simulate steep sandy riverbanks, should also be provided in a secluded section of the pool edge free from visitor disturbance. There is good sunlight and breeding is most likely to commence assoon as the animals reach
breeding size unless, provided there is at least one compatible male in
the group. GORUMARA
WILDLIFE SANCTUARY Impressions and remarks: The Murti River site has been identified as a former habitat of the gharial by the Zoological Survey of India, but the site does not have any of the attributes of more conducive habitats where gharial presently reside, such as those in the Chambal and Girwa Rivers. However, in view of the grim battle the species is waging for its survival, if gharial eventually can be rehabilitated successfully at this site i.e., establishment of a breeding group, it will be a significant achievement. The Murti is a part of the Teesta river system so the possibility of a larger strategy to successfully reintroduce gharial in the Teesta should not be lost sight of. The Kunjanagar captive breeding facility could be an asset in the implementation of this strategy and the performance of the breeding facility should be closely monitored. CONCLUDING REMARKS There
was considerable enthusiasm about the gharial programme among local
officials. The reintroduction of gharial in the Officials of the WBFD at all levels did seem keen and receptive to our suggestions that rehabilitation programmes for threatened aquatic reptiles should be initiated/revived/consolidated or expanded and requested us to prepare a concept paper or proposal for a suitable project to achieve this. D. Basu, State Executive Collaborator, Turtle and Crocodile Conservation Project, Uttar Pradesh (edited down by me to concentrate on the gharial findings, RW) May 6, 2007 9. Capacity building: Benu Dahal
from the Government’s Phuentsholing captive breeding facility in U Win Ko Ko,
of the World Conservation Society turtle conservation project in 10. Uplisting for the gharial to Critically Endangered The proposal was submitted last December via the IUCN/SSC Crocodile Specialist Group. We are still awaiting their decision and will inform the GMTF as soon as we hear from IUCN.
11. TRI-STATE MULTI-TAXA SURVEY IN THE NATIONAL
CHAMBAL
SANCTUARY Submitted by GMTF Core Group
Member, R.J. Rao,
A
Technical Workshop initiated by the Gharial Multi Task Force
was held at the end of a series of
consultations between the
Madhya
Pradesh Forest Department, WWF-India, Madras Crocodile Bank
and
Conservation Biology Unit of the In view
of the extreme importance of the National Chambal Sanctuary for the
conservation of several endangered species, it was agreed upon at the
River Watch workshop at Methods: Staff and volunteers are supplied with a kit bag containing binoculars, data sheets, field maps of different sections of the river, pen, pencils and writing pads. In addition instruments like thermometer to record ambient and water temperatures, GPS to record the geographical coordinates to record the location of animals, cameras to take photographs of animals and human activities in the wildlife habitats.
The populations of gharial, mugger, dolphin, both
totals as well as by age/size classes, their distribution and encounter
rates in different designated zones of the sanctuary, recorded in the
survey are given in tables.
Summary
of results: A total of 137 gharial basking sites were identified during the census and a total of 865 gharial of various size groups were sighted in the 465 km of the river, of which 20 were adult males (with ghara development) and 188 were adult females (though it is surmised that 15 to 20% (N = 28 to 38) of these were subadult males with no gharas; RW comment). 91 dolphins, out of which 52 were adults, 26 were young and 13 were calves were sighted at 28 sites from Bharra to Pachhnada. Tracks of otters were located on mid- island sand banks at Dang Basai, however, no otter was sighted. Table 1.
Total number of gharial counted in National Chambal Sanctuary, February,
2007
Threats:
Three categories of serious threats were observed in the following order
of importance: (1) Fishing
(2) Cucurbit cultivation
(3) Sand mining
(4) Proliferation of mugger. Fishing: 71 nylon thread and monofilament nylon gillnets and hook gears were observed at 23 different locations during the survey. On one occasion a multiple barbed-hook turtle longline was also recovered, clear evidence that turtles are also being poached from within the Sanctuary. Most of this fishing gear is lethal to gharial, mugger as well as dolphins. In addition to the gear that was confiscated, the survey team was advised not to interfere in the fishing activities near Sewar and Pali villages of Rajasthan, the reason being that the illicit fishermen here will violently oppose any interference in their fishing including use of firearms. Cucurbit cultivation: Cucurbit (pumpkin and squash) cultivation right down to the river’s edge at gharial and turtle basking and nesting sites on islands and sand banks was observed at 6 sites. Sand mining: Sand mining was observed on different scales at numerous sand banks in the Sanctuary area of all the three states. At least three of these sites were located at well documented gharial nesting sites. Proliferation of mugger (Crocodylus palustris): Muggers have increased in both numbers as well as spatial distribution in the Sanctuary especially in the upper rocky stretches of the river. It is possible that mugger compete with gharial for habitat and resources. This kind of competition with gharial here in its most viable reserve should not be enhanced by wildlife resource managers, who have inadvertently released mugger into the Chambal in several instances in the past for the purposes of rehabilitating them in this river. Considering that the National Chambal Sanctuary supports hundreds of thousands of people and may well be the last viable habitat of the gharial and several other critically endangered species such as the Ganges river dolphin (Platanista gangetica), the painted roof turtle (Kachuga kachuga) and the Indian skimmer (Rynchops albicollis), there should be no need to emphasize the seriousness of the above mentioned threats to the survival of the river people and these charismatic species.
Conclusion The
survey was a new learning experience for the staff of the Madhya
Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh Forest Departments. It is expected
that the interaction with scientists and training imparted in scientific
field methods will provide the staff with a more in-depth approach. This
capacity building programme was jointly organized by the Madhya Pradesh
Forest Department and
The methods followed during the annual survey of 2007, are more or less
the same as those which have been followed ever since systematic study
of aquatic animals of the Chambal began under the aegis of the Wildlife
Institute of India, soon after the sanctuary was established in 1978-79.
However, it is acknowledged that this rapid assessment can overlook some
animals and follow-up surveys will refine the results. Also, as the
results demonstrate, these methods are not comprehensive for all river
mega fauna, as no otters were seen, though known to occur here and hard
data on the occurrence and abundance of different turtle species could
not be obtained. In the
past only the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department estimated gharial numbers
based on direct observation. This is the first time that a multi-taxa
aquatic faunal census of National Chambal Sanctuary was done jointly by
all three state forest departments involved in the management of the
National Chambal Sanctuary. Although there might have been some
shortcomings in this groundbreaking census, a new trend for joint census
has been established for the future management and conservation of
aquatic animals in the National Chambal Sanctuary. RW notes that this survey was a significant
achievement, thanks to the energy and dedication displayed by the
organizers and participants. This bodes well for future surveys and for
Sanctuary management by the three concerned state Forest Departments in
collaboration with all their partners (us!). 12. Letters from other GMTF members: Subir Chowfin
has moved on from The Corbett Foundation. He is
estimating and
monitoring the tiger and leopard populations in the Haldwani Forest
Division (Uttarakhand) with the Forest Department. Subir wants to keep
working with GMTF and has offered to survey the Nandour and Sarda rivers
that flow through the Haldwani Forest Division for gharial. Lala A.K. Singh,
Orissa Forest Department writes (“to give the Mahanadi one more chance”)
to propose the following work for the A research project to finally
decide about the suitability or otherwise of the (1) Field surveys to document habitat features (2) Radio-monitoring of at least two gharials to be released upstream of Hirakud dam. Dharmendra Khandal, Antipoaching Project Coordinator of Tiger Watch, Ranthambhore wrote that members of Tiger Watch, their NGO working in the Ranthambore National Park, visited the Chambal river and saw 14 full grown gharial at Pali Ghat, the confluence of Parbati and Chambal rivers. They are committed to try to save this group. They also confiscated some fishing nets which were deposited at the forest range office. Adam Britton wrote: The London Zoological Society has recently launched a new campaign targeting "evolutionarily unique" species under EDGE (Evolutionary Distinct and Globally Endangered) - those species which are sufficiently taxonomically distinct from their counterparts that they would represent a more significant loss through extinction. Listed species are open for a lot of publicity, not to mention conservation funding options. Currently EDGE deals only in mammals, but the ZSL is preparing an amphibian database along similar lines. It seems likely that a reptile database will eventually follow, and I don't think it's premature that the GMTF should be putting pressure to get the gharial listed on the reptile EDGE given its taxonomic uniqueness in the crocodilians and its clear threat of extinction. Ramesh Pandey,
Divisional Forest Officer, Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary writes that
this year he expects up to thirty gharial nests, up from 20 last year.
The Girwa river is a dynamic ecosystem and the sand islands favoured by
gharial for nesting are in an annual state of change with each monsoon.
This year two new such sand bars have been created and one of the
favourite nesting areas (near the cement watch tower by the river) was
badly eroded. A comprehensive River Watch
Strategy and Action Plan has been circulated by
Sandeep Behera, River
Dolphin Project Coordinator, WWF-India, based on the deliberations of
the Gwalior River Watch conference last November. The modalities and
partner responsibilities are being worked out. At present the main
thrust is to hire a full time River Watch Coordinator for river reptiles
(gharial and turtles). Dhruva Basu
has been selected for the job and the plan is that he will join
WWF-India on deputation from the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department. We
will keep you updated on this important development. 14. News from other
gharial range countries Sangay Wangchuk, Nature Conservation, Forestry Services Division, Royal Government of Bhutan writes: The security situation in border areas is off and on so that security clearance to carry out gharial surveys in some of the rivers will be difficult at this time. The Toorsa river that flows by
Phuntsholing town into Ahmad Khan,
Programme Manager, Pakistan Wetlands Programme
writes: For Pakistan: would like GMTF to provide matching funds for strengthening a gharial captive breeding programme, field research and re-establishment of gharial populations through the Pakistan Wetlands Programme in partnership with WWF-Pakistan. M.I. Zuberi,
Every year several small
gharial are seen in the Ganges (called Padma in RW writes to assure our
colleagues in Antoine Cadi
of La Ferme aux Crocodiles writes about Antoine Joseph has been in
GMTF members please respond with your suggestions, we need to encourage such enthusiasm. You may contact him at: praryal@rediffmail.com 15. Attention! The
Madras Crocodile Bank/Centre for Herpetology (India’s Crocodile Gene
Bank and GMTF Base), seeks a Director
Dear Friends, As you can see, we
are looking for a Director for the Madras Crocodile Bank. Not merely a
reptile zoo, the Croc Bank is a center for research, conservation and
education with numerous ex situ projects and links with like-minded
organizations and people. We need someone who can hold all this together
and at the same time spearhead the development of our new Masterplan,
aimed at making the Croc Bank a real world class reptile zoo and
conservation center (with Bill Zeigler, formerly of Miami Metro Zoo as
our consultant). Though very much
an administrative job, the Director of the Croc Bank is expected to make
field visits to our conservation base in the Andaman Islands (Andaman
and Nicobar Islands Environmental Team/Centre for Island Ecology) and
ongoing research and conservation projects throughout the country (right
now gharial and freshwater turtles in North India).
The salary is modest by
international standards, but a good salary for We would very much
appreciate it if you would spread the news about this opening through
the most appropriate avenues possible. Feel free to use this covering
letter and to send any queries you might have about the post. There is
no time limit but we would prefer candidates to be available for the job
within 3 to 6 months of this notice. Looking forward to your reply. Trustees, MCBT/CFH JOB DESCRIPTION FOR THE POST OF DIRECTOR (Administration and Development), MADRAS CROCODILE BANK/CENTRE FOR HERPETOLOGY The candidate
should have a minimum of 5 years experience in an administrative post,
preferably with experience in the direction and functioning of a
non-government organization, including project proposal drafting,
communication with local and international funding agencies, networking
with students, scientists, potential funders and the general public.
While knowledge of reptiles/wildlife is not essential, the candidate
should have a genuine interest in learning about the field. Full working
knowledge of English and computer usage is essential and knowledge of
Tamil desirable (but not essential). Starting salary:
Rs.35,000 per month (negotiable, based on experience) plus basic,
comfortable accommodation on site (electricity, water included),
insurance, Provident Fund. All senior MCB staff members are expected to
make the effort to find part of their salary via grants generated by
them. Partial list of
activities and responsibilities of the Director: 1. Overall
direction of the day-to-day activities at MCB/CFH along with the
Projects Coordinator and Curator and fulfilling set targets. 2. Responsibility
(along with the Projects Coordinator) for financial matters, including
income from daily ticket sales and other sources with attention to
frugal/cost-effective financial operation,. 3. Communicating
with the Trustees’ Administrative Committee and Auditor on all important
administrative and financial matters. 4.
Fundraising/drafting project proposals for funding MCB/CFH development,
research, educational, conservation activities. 5. Work with
Staff, Trustees, Zoo Consultant, architect and engineer on development
and execution of the new Masterplan for the total revamping of the Croc
Bank. 6. Overall
coordination, along with the Curator and Education Officer, of the
Education, Paying Volunteer, Reptile Veterinary Programmes and similar
activities. 7. Networking with
other NGOs, reptile parks/zoos, students, scientists and colleagues of
MCB/CFH. 8. Facilitate
continuous publicity for MCB/CFH via all forms of public and electronic
media and interact with the visiting public. 9. Fulfilling
Government requirements such as Central Zoo Authority regulations, along
with the Curator. 10. Fulfilling
commitments of clean water, healthy conditions for the reptiles, staff
and visiting public at MCB/CFH. 11. Hold regular
operational meetings with senior and junior staff. 12. Regular
project updates and quarterly report to the Trustees. This is an
opportunity for the right person to help the Trustees and Staff take a
world renowned reptile park into the next dynamic stage of its
development. It will take a lot of energy, cooperation and imagination
and it is an exciting moment in the Madras Crocodile Bank’s 31 year
history. In general, the
Director’s job is to work with the Trustees and Croc Bank Staff to
spearhead the development of MCB/CFH into a Centre of Excellence for
Herpetology in India and as an outdoor laboratory with such diverse
features as diploma courses in herpetology, reptile veterinary science,
hosting visiting lecturers, training courses with formal academic
affiliations, and model reptile enclosure designs for zoos. Applicants should
send their complete CV, photograph, an informal statement of their
interest in the position and at least three reference letters (with
contact details) from persons who know them and their work. Either email us or
send a hard copy application marked ‘For Director’s Post’ to: Trustee Madras Crocodile
Bank Trust Post Bag 4
Mamallapuram
TN 603104 Email: mcbt@vsnl.net Phone: (91)(0)44
2747 2447
Copyright © 2007 Gharial Multi-Task Force.
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