Factors influencing the habitat selection of Mugger crocodile (Crocodylus palustris) and its conservation threats in the Rapti River of Chitwan National Park, Nepal

Mugger crocodiles (Crocodylus palustris) in the Rapti River of Chitwan National Park, Nepal, exhibit strong habitat preferences for sandy riverbanks with moderate to moderately steep slopes (15–35°), where 39.1% of observed individuals were found basking. This species, a keystone predator, faces significant conservation threats from illegal fishing, sand mining, and waste disposal, which require targeted management strategies. The study employed a generalized linear model (GLM) to analyze habitat selection based on factors like bank substrate, slope, and anthropogenic disturbances, alongside a whole-site ranking method to assess threats. Findings underscore the need for spatio-temporal research to understand resource partitioning with sympatric gharials and enforce stricter regulations against human encroachment.

K.C., N., Neupane, B., Belbase, B., Dhami, B., Bist, B. S., Basyal, C. R., & Bhattarai, S. (2023). Factors influencing the habitat selection of Mugger crocodile (Crocodylus palustris) and its conservation threats in the Rapti River of Chitwan National Park, Nepal. Global Ecology and Conservation, 42, e02406. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2023.e02406