Liver disease killing crocodiles in Chambal river: Experts

LUCKNOW: The wildlife experts from Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh have confirmed that the deaths of 29 crocodiles in the Chambal river were caused by a fatal liver disease.

"Post-mortem examinations carried out on the dead crocodiles have confirmed cirrhosis of liver as the cause of death," D.N.S. Suman, chief wildlife conservator, told from Etawah in Uttar Pradesh.

Experts were baffled at the spate of crocodile deaths in Chambal river that is regarded as a natural habitat of the animal. As many as 29 crocodiles have died over the past three days in Chambal river on account of cirrhosis, a fatal liver disease.

Concerned over the spate of deaths, Madhya Pradesh wildlife officials have also visited the site, bordering the two states, to investigate the matter.

"This stretch of the Chambal river was regarded as an ideal habitat for the crocodiles," Suman said.

"A large number of crocodiles were released here over the years as part of the crocodile rehabilitation project undertaken by the Kukrail centre in Lucknow about 27 years ago," he said.

Asked if he suspected poisoning in the river waters, Suman said, "Well, in that case, fish would have been the first to die on a mass scale".

Samples of the viscera collected from the dead crocodiles have now been sent to the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) in Bareilly for further study. The Indian Toxicology Research Centre (ITRC) in Lucknow was also approached for the investigation.

Meanwhile, the Uttar Pradesh government has decided to hold back a consignment of 60 crocodiles that was to be sent from Lucknow for release in the river, as part of the rehabilitation programme.