Gharial died of respiratory failure: Report

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, June 25

The post-mortem examination of a gharial, found dead in the Harike wetland a few days ago, has brought out that the reptile died of respiratory failure.

A team of three doctors — Sartaj Singh, Daljit Singh and Kuldeep Singh — conducted the post-mortem of the reptile at the Tarn Taran vetrinary polyclinic on Tuesday. The post-mortem report has been to Kalpana, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO-Wildlife), Ferozepur.

It has been learnt that the organs of the reptile were putrefied. It is believed the gharial died in water two or three days before the carcass was spotted. The organs have been sent to Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, for chemical examination.

The DFO (Wildlife) said the dysfunction in the respiratory system of the reptile caused its death. “It appears to be an accidental death. Water pollution factor cannot be the reason for the death. Had it been so, it would have affected other reptiles too,” she said.

Gunbir Singh, chairperson, WWF-India, Punjab, said: “Our team had conducted a survey in April and everything was found to be normal. There’s no report of other reptiles being harmed or injured.”