After alligators, dolphins another insecure species in Chambal

Etawah, Feb 5 (UNI) After the recovery of several alligators' carcasses in the Chambal river, the seizure of a rare species of dolphin's body has sent the forest officials and wildlife experts in a tizzy.

Since December 8, 2007, 93 alligators had been found dead in the Chambal river and their death is still a mystery for the forest officials.

In 1979, to stem the mushrooming threat of their extinction, government had kickstarted the Alligators Conservation Scheme, whereby, almost 1,200 such reptiles were released in Chambal.

The ources said if the scheme would have been implemented properly, over 10,000 alligators would have been in Chambal at present. Sadly, only 800 reptiles were found in the river during the February 2007 survey.

Besides the Uttar Pradesh and Central government officials, International wildlife experts were leaving no stone unturned to detect the cause of alligators' death.

A recent report of the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Bareilly, claimed the victim alligators succumbed after hunting Kavai fish. During autopsy, a large quantity of lead was found present inside their body.

Kavai fish is generally found in the river Yamuna. However, over the years, a phenomenal spurt had been witnessed in their number in Chambal river.

On the other hand, during a meeting of wildlife experts, including Dr Brayin Straysi (America), Dr Paul (Hong Kong), Alligators Conservation Scheme chairperson Ram Britakar, Wildlife and Forest ministry joint director Pramod Krishnan, water pollution was held as the reason behind the reptiles extinction in Chambal.

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