25 December 07

Gharial deaths attributed to heavy metals

 

A Preliminary report submitted by the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Bareilli, on ghariyals (the Indian Gharial, Gavialis gangeticus), which were found dead in Etawah district around two weeks ago, states that the deaths were caused due to the presence of excess heavy metals in their livers. The heavy metals recovered were zinc cadmium, chromium, mercury and lead.

 

Officials at the National Chambal Sanctuary (NCS) suspect that ghariyals came in contact with excess heavy metals when they consumed a fish called Kahawai, mostly found in Yamuna. The fishes entered Chambal from Yamuna as both the river meet in the Pachnada locality of the Etawah district, they added.

http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Ghariyals-consumed-heavy-metals/2537

 

23 December 07

Crafty croc thieves drop their bounty

 

Two thieves in S Africa attempted to steal 5 crocodiles but had to drop their captives when a neighbour to the targeted croc farm happened across them. Peter Watson of Crocodile Creek, near Ballito figures that he’s lost about 29 of his 6,000 animals.

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=139&art_id=vn20071223090230788C265031

 

21 December 07

Crocodile farmers granted permits

 

The Zimbabwean Parks and Wildlife Management Authority has given two crocodile farmers’ organisations permits to collect crocodile eggs under a new crocodile quota system.

 

Authorities have set 90,000 eggs in 17 areas as the quota for crocodile egg collection.

 

"Parks will be obliged to carry out farm inspections to ensure that there is no loss of wildlife due to poor farming practices," he said.

http://www.herald.co.zw/inside.aspx?sectid=8516&cat=1&livedate=9/6/2006

 

21 December 07

Vet not optimistic about bitten-off arm

 

A Taiwanese vet whose left forearm was bitten off by a sick Indopacific Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) he was tending says he is not optimistic about recovering the use of the limb which was sewn back on by doctors.

 

Asked if he hated the croc that savaged him, he said: "It was my bad luck. What can I say? It is hard to explain."

http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22958128-5001028,00.html?from=public_rss

 

20 December 07

Russian croc smuggler caught in Egypt

 

A Russian national was caught red-handed at Cairo International Airport on Thursday with a total of 14 baby crocodiles, 125 Egyptian and African turtles, three chameleons and 12 lizards in his baggage.

http://en.rian.ru/world/20071220/93384040.html

 

20 December 07

Six dwarf caimans bred at MCBT

 

In the first-ever captive breeding of endangered Cuvier's Dwarf Caiman (Paleosuchus palpebrosus), in South Asia, six eggs have hatched at India’s Madras Crocodile Bank Trust.

http://www.outlookindia.com/pti_news.asp?id=528765