Gharial ( Gavialis gangeticus , Gmelin 1789) Beyond Protected Areas of Nepal: Population, Reproduction, and Seasonal Migration of Gharial in the Kar

ABSTRACT

Habitats beyond protected areas are essential for crocodilian conservation, as many species utilize these extended habitats for basking, nesting, foraging, and seasonal movements. Gharial ( Gavialis gangeticus ) is a Critically Endangered apex predator in freshwater ecosystems whose populations in Nepal are restricted primarily within or adjacent to protected areas, with few records from the south‐western lowlands. In this study, we gained insights into the status of the gharial population residing in the Karnali River and its tributaries—the Mohana, Patthariya, and Kaande—by providing the first systematic accounts of their counts, nesting and reproduction, and possible seasonal migration. We conducted surveys before, during, and after the monsoons in 2024 and 2025 in 76 km of these river reaches. We recorded the highest counts for gharials for all rivers pooled during monsoon surveys in 2024 ( n  = 8) and 2025 ( n  = 12), and the lowest during post‐monsoon surveys in 2024 ( n  = 4) and 2025 ( n  = 3). Gharial number ranged between one and seven in the Karnali and between zero and five each in the Mohana and the Patthariya across surveys in both years. The gharial population is dominated by adult females with no adult males recorded. We documented a total of 16 gharial nests containing 427 live hatchlings from 509 eggs with a hatching success of over 80%, including both years. Our results showed that there is a small resident gharial population residing in the Karnali River system, and they are reproducing successfully. There is likely seasonal movement of gharials among the Karnali and its tributaries, and possible transboundary movement along the Karnali between Nepal and India. We underscore the need for protecting these riverine habitats of gharials beyond protected areas and for coordinated transboundary research and conservation efforts to ensure long‐term gharial conservation.