Summary of Field Notes: Indian Gharials with Maura Messerly:
The author, Maura Messerly, shares her experience working with the Learning & Engagement division at the Los Angeles Zoo. She talks about her excitement for the opportunity to visit the sites of their international program partners and specifically work on the Indian gharial conservation project in India. The Los Angeles Zoo has supported the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) in protecting and monitoring Indian gharial nest sites along the Gandak River. The trip aimed to expand the Indian Gharial Recovery Program by building an incubation center to relocate gharial eggs away from floods until they hatch. The author describes their trip to India, the field visits, and discovering a gharial nest site. They discuss the importance of the incubation center and the need for a community education center to be included in the project. The author expresses their dedication to supporting the conservation efforts and hopes to positively impact the gharial population in India.
1. Introduction to the author’s role in the Learning & Engagement division at the L.A. Zoo and her desire to visit the sites of their international program partners.
2. The opportunity to visit India for an exploratory trip with a team from the Zoo to work on the Indian gharial conservation project.
3. The history of the Indian Gharial Recovery Project and the work done by the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) to protect and monitor Indian Gharial nest sites along the Gandak River.
4. The trip’s objective: is to support WTI in expanding the Indian Gharial Recovery Program’s efforts by constructing an incubation center.
5. The development of a community education center to be included in the incubation center, connecting local people to the story of the Indian Gharial Recovery Project.
6. Details of the trip to India, including the team members, the location in the Valmiki Tiger Reserve, and the early morning activities to avoid the heat.
7. The highlight of the trip: observing a gharial nest site, uncovering the eggs, and experiencing the rarity and beauty of this moment.
8. The future of the Gharial project and the importance of building the incubation center and designing the community education center.
9. The author’s optimism and determination to support the population of gharials in India and enhance the relationship between people and wildlife.
10. The pride in being able to contribute, even from afar, to the conservation of Indian gharials.
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The most common question I hear from eager family and friends at dinner parties is, “So, what animals do you work with at the Zoo?” As a Learning & Engagement division member at the L.A. Zoo, I work with animals, though primarily humans. I create programs and oversee a team that engages visitors on-grounds at the Zoo. But deep down, I’ve always had the hope that someday I would be able to visit the sites of our international program partners and witness the incredible work they do firsthand.
Last winter, that hope became a reality when my supervisor, Director of Learning & Engagement Dan Keeffe, asked if I’d be interested in going to India for an exploratory trip with a team from the Zoo to work on our Indian gharial conservation project. Without hesitation, I said, “Of course!” However, along with the initial excitement came a wave of nerves. The pressure to perform in one’s job is common, but the pressure of knowing that the success of a project could mean the survival of critically endangered crocodilians and the well-being of thousands of people? It was a weighty responsibility that I was determined to meet head-on.
Before embarking on our trip, I delved into the history of the Indian Gharial Recovery Project. I researched the incredible work carried out by our partners, the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI). Since 2019, the L.A. Zoo has supported WTI through conservation grants, explicitly focusing on locating, protecting, and monitoring Indian gharial nest sites along the Gandak River in Bihar state. With climate change causing more extreme river flooding, the need for a solution to aid these eggs’ survival became evident. Hence, our main objective for this trip was to support WTI in expanding the Indian Gharial Recovery Program’s efforts by building an incubation center and providing a temporary relocation site for eggs until they hatch.
As someone with experience at the L.A. Zoo, my role in this project extended beyond the construction of the incubation center. Working closely with the WTI team, we identified the need for a community education center within the incubation center. This center would not only protect the eggs but also serve as a way to connect locals with the story of the Indian Gharial Recovery Project. The planning and preparation were intense, but soon enough, our bags were packed, and we were ready for the adventure awaited us in India.
From May 6th to May 19th, our team, which included Dr. Jake Owens (Director of Conservation), Jeromy Chenault (Reptile and Amphibian Keeper), and myself, traveled around New Delhi and northern India, hosted by the WTI team. Our base was within the Valmiki Tiger Reserve, located in the foothills of the Himalayas and known for its significant gharial population. The reserve is a haven for wildlife, including tigers, Indian sambar, spotted deer, and common langur. Every morning, we were up before dawn, greeted by the calls of peacocks, and eager to dive into the day’s activities.
One particular morning we stood out from the rest. After passing through bustling villages and hopping on a red dinghy, we slowly motored along the Gandak River in search of gharials. With the expertise of Samir and Subrat from the WTI team, we spotted a snout poking out of the water in the distance. Approaching quietly, we witnessed the presence of a gharial, utterly aware of our arrival. It was a humbling experience to see these incredible creatures in their natural habitat.
However, the highlight of our trip was yet to come. After walking along the riverbanks and climbing a steep incline, we reached a spot that seemed indistinguishable from the rest. With careful attention, the WTI team uncovered a gharial nest site, revealing perfectly white eggs hidden beneath the surface. Witnessing something that few people have the privilege of seeing was a moment of awe and reverence. After taking a few photos, we respectfully covered the nest once again, knowing we had witnessed something extraordinary.
The rest of our time in India was spent dreaming about the future of the Gharial project. The incubation and community education centers would be vital components of the Indian Gharial Recovery Program’s success. They built the incubation center before the next monsoon season became a primary goal. The planning and design of the community education center were beginning, but we were determined to see this project through.
Back at the L.A. Zoo, my work didn’t stop. With the support of WTI, local government officials, and our collective motivation to support the gharial population, we had the potential to achieve something extraordinary in India. The goal was to protect a species and create an environment where people and animals could thrive together.
So, when people ask me, “What animals do you work with at the Zoo?” I feel an immense sense of pride. There are the people I work with, of course, but there are also the Indian gharials, located 8,000 miles away, that I hope to have a small impact on someday. It’s a reminder of the interconnectedness of our world and the importance of our collective efforts in conserving and protecting the incredible diversity of wildlife within it.
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