Indian officials released a gharial, a critically endangered species of crocodile, into the Mahanadi river to in an attempt to revive their population.

The gharial was brought to Satkosia Gorge, Odisha, on January 5 and released after a radio transmitter was fitted on it.

The reptile is part of a batch of six gharials that are being sent back to the wild.

Officials will enforce adequate protection measures in the area which has been declared a no-fishing zone. They have conducted an awareness programme to inform local fishermen.

Divisional Forest Officer Harshabardhan Udgata said: "We have placed floating barricades to deter any boat from entering the protected area. Fishermen have been asked not to kill any gharial which may get trapped in their nets. We will bear the cost of the nets."

The gharial is listed as critically endangered by the IUCN Red List as there are thought be less than 250 adults remaining in the wild. Their population has declined by up to 98 percent since the 1940s.

Indian officials released a ‘gharial’, a critically endangered species of crocodile, in Mahanadi river to revive their population on January 5.

The gharial was brought to Satakoshia gorge in eastern India and released after a radio transmitter was fitted on it.

The reptile is part of a batch of six gharials that are being sent back to the wild.

Officials will enforce adequate protection measures in Satakoshia range which has been declared a no-fishing zone. They have conducted an awareness programme to sensitise local fishermen.

Divisional Forest Officer, Harshabardhan Udgata, said: "We have placed floating barricades to deter any boat from entering the protected area. Fishermen have been asked not to kill any gharial which may get trapped in their nets. We will bear the cost of the nets.”

After an alarming fall in the number of gharials officials are successfully breeding them at nearby Nandanakan Zoo and releasing them in the wild in a phased manner.

According to estimates there are just 650 adult gharials left on Earth in the wild. This represents a population decline of 98% in less than a century.