Twelve baby gharials, rescued during the monsoon, were released into the Satkosia gorge, marking a significant step towards the conservation of the critically endangered species, a forest official said.

The gharials, now measuring between 1 to 2 feet, were released on Saturday and were observed in healthy condition during monitoring on Sunday, said Saroj Kumar Panda, Divisional Forest Officer of Satkosia Wildlife Division.

Initially rescued at a size of four to six inches, the baby gharials were carefully nurtured before their release into the gorge, which is a vital habitat for the species. This initiative is part of the ongoing efforts to restore and maintain the gharial population in Odisha’s rivers.