Kendrapada: A critically endangered gharial was spotted at Siali beach in Erasama block of Jagatsinghpur district, triggerring panic among visitors. The unusual sighting was captured by tourists, with photos and videos quickly going viral on social media platforms.
Forest range officer Kartikeswar Khandei said the gharial may have travelled approximately 150 km from its natural habitat in Tikarpada, Angul district, reaching the Mahanadi river mouth at Paradip before straying into the sea during high tide.
“Gharials are freshwater creatures and cannot survive in saltwater,” explained Khandei. “We went to rescue the reptile, but it had already disappeared into the sea,” he said. Khandei emphasized that unlike saltwater crocodiles, gharials pose no threat to humans.
Local resident Samarjit Mohapatra said the crocodile was massive. “Tourists who were swimming immediately came out of the water as news of its presence spread,” Mohapatra said.
Forest officials expect the gharial to return to freshwater on its own, as it cannot survive in the marine environment. They continue to monitor the situation while working to educate the public about the distinction between gharials and the dangerous saltwater crocodiles.