The first article is great! (I did not sit through the video). It also states the restocking is done with animals bred in a local zoo, which is great. Interesting that the Indian group running the effort lists on their website IFAW as their international partner, since IFAW is (I think) anti-zoo.
Yes, it is an interesting conservation project. The contribuant zoo is the Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park in Patna, Bihar State. They hold over 100 (!!!) captive-bred gharial. I am not sure how many founders they originate from (one breeding pair or perhaps more individuals than just the 2). What I would like to know is how large the original population on the river system was before re-introductions started. This is important from a long term range perspective. Also: what is the current sex ratio on these and if you will the overall genetics of the remnant population? As for IFAW: India is even more heavily politicized on the subject and thus the role zoos play in ex situ conservation tends to be a "hard" nut to crack …
