After Chambal Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh, breeding of gharials is taking place in natural habitat in the Son Gharial Sanctuary. The sanctuary is developing as an important breeding center for gharials, skimmers and other rare aquatic animals.
Amidst the existential crisis looming over the sanctuary, with the willpower and tireless efforts of the officers and employees working in the sanctuary, success has been achieved in conserving aquatic animals with the cooperation and participation of the communities residing on the banks of the Son River.
80 babies have hatched from eggs
About 80 babies have hatched from the eggs laid by gharials in the sanctuary on 21-22 May 2025. The process of hatching babies from the remaining eggs is going on. Breeding could not take place due to the absence of male gharials in the sanctuary. A male gharial was brought from Chambal Sanctuary on 14 January 2025. After this 8 female gharials laid eggs in March 2025.
Son Gharial Sanctuary, Sidhi was established in 1981 by the Madhya Pradesh Government for the conservation of gharials and other aquatic life. Under this, the length of Son, Gopad and Banas rivers is 209.21 kilometers and the width is 200 meters. In the census of aquatic animals and birds conducted in the sanctuary in the year 2025, 38 gharials, 74 crocodiles, 41 skimmers, 4015 birds of 49 types and many species of turtles and fishes, aquatic snakes etc. were found.