Published on 31 March via the reserve’s official TikTok account, the video shows staff at Mandai Wildlife Reserve working in coordination to safely capture and examine the gharial, a species that has seen a dramatic population decline in the wild.
The video, captioned “Wrangling a giant and it’s all hands on deck!”, documents the process of restraining the animal, taking body measurements, collecting tissue and blood samples, and performing an ultrasound scan to assess the health of its internal organs.
Throughout the process, staff kept the animal’s eyes covered to reduce stress and ensure its comfort.
Mandai collaborated with Gharial Ecology Projects to carry out the health assessment, aiming to close knowledge gaps and strengthen conservation strategies for the species.
Broader Spectrum of Conservation Efforts
With fewer than 250 adult individuals estimated to remain in the wild, the International Union for Conservation of Nature lists the Indian gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) as Critically Endangered. Habitat destruction, pollution, and entanglement in fishing gear have severely reduced gharial populations in the river systems of northern India and Nepal, where the species lives.
Mandai Wildlife Group, comprising the Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, River Wonders, and Bird Paradise, plays a major role in regional conservation initiatives.
“Routine health assessments like this help us ensure the well-being of the animals under our care and contribute to global efforts to protect species like the Indian gharial,” said Mandai Wildlife Reserve in the video’s description.
The group regards its facilities as not solely tourist attractions but also research, animal welfare, and species conservation centers.
Role of Wildlife Reserves in Protecting Endangered Species
Wildlife reserves provide controlled environments where species under threat can be given special care. Besides medical examinations, these localized breeding programs offer opportunities for behavioral monitoring and collection of genetic data. These are significant activities for long-term survival plans.
These reserves should also be used to educate the public about the threats to endangered species and about biodiversity conservation.
Other Threats and Worldwide Significance
The Indian gharial is one of the longest-living crocodilian species and can grow to six meters in length. It is largely harmless to humans, preferring to eat fish.
Due to the ecological significance and rarity of this species, conservationists put it on their priority list for protection.
Apart from the fact that conservation action becomes ever more necessary as biodiversity comes under growing pressure, work done at Mandai will offer even more impetus towards halting the extinction of species and aiding their recovery.
Watch the video here:
@mandaiwildlifereserve Wrangling a giant! Here’s what goes on during a recent health assessment on our Indian gharial. #MandaiWildlifeReserve #NIghtSafari #BehindTheGreens #BTG #learn #funfacts #sg #singapore #indiangharial
♬ original sound – Mandai Wildlife Reserve – Mandai Wildlife Reserve
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