The Muggar population has not suffered like the Gharials.

The project will contribute to the national database of the top predators of the river ecosystem. Recently conducted National Red List for Mammals of Nepal (to be published shortly) has identified the lack of information on status and distribution of a large number of mammals in the country as a constraint to long-term conservation planning and the same scenario exists for reptiles as well. Thus, the project will mainly support to update and fill this information gap. At the same time, it will also recommend management options for the local as well as funding organizations working in the area. One of the major achievements of the project will be the identification of the causes of decreasing population of Critically Endangered Gharials in the Karnali River despite an ongoing program to restore the population through the release of captive bred young ones into the river system. This might also support the identification on new approaches in the breeding and release of yearling into the river system. Though the study will not focus on the biology of the Gharial, it will try to analyse the on-going practices of breeding and release (age of release, location, monitoring of released ones, and comparison of these with other locations in India and Nepal) and try to identify possible alternative approaches to increase the wild population.

A Gharial crocodile along Mohana River in Kailali; Gharial movememts have greatly increased in Mohana recently.

The major focus will be on the Critically Endangered Gharials and Endangered dolphins which have almost a remnant population in the area and could face local extirpation. As compared to previous surveys for individual species, this assessment will produce a comprehensive report on all four species to identify hotspots which may need additional focus and greater share from the limited conservation resources. It will also address community awareness and capacity building of local youth to achieve sustainability. Local consultations and awareness activities at the school and community level will be an important component of the project and aims to improve this and build on the first project as well as on the efforts of other organizations working in the area. A major achievement of the project will be the publication of a survey manual on River dolphins, Gharial and Crocodiles and Smooth Otters to standardize future assessments.