French People Adopt Asian Crocodile

A French crocodile farm said it has stepped up its efforts to take on and breed one of the world’s most endangered species, the Indian gharial, with the ultimate goal of returning these animals to their natural South Asian habitat. The Pierrelatte Crocodile Farm in Pierrelatte, France, said it has now moved six gharials to a man-made river in the hope that these crocodiles will breed, then reach full maturity within 6 years. This slender-snouted breed of crocodile, which grows to more than 20 feet in length, is a fast riser on the endangered species list. With as few as 2,000 known to be in existence and with this number constantly decreasing because of greedy fisherman and trophy hunters, this French crocodile farm earns kudos for stepping into waters where others have not dared to tread.