Pollution, human-wildlife conflict might cause high stress among mugger crocodiles, finds study

New research in India reveals that mugger crocodiles in Vadodara, with high human-mugger conflict, exhibit chronic stress levels which could be harmful for the species. The study compared the stress levels of muggers in Vadodara with those in the more rural Charotar region, about 45 kilometres away, where there is high tolerance for the presence of muggers. The study demonstrated that physiological responses in muggers varied across habitats, and such variation could be because of ecological factors in the immediate, local environment.

Vadodara, with its polluted Vishwamitri river and an urban-rural mix, contrasts sharply with the largely rural Charotar region, where muggers inhabit cleaner ponds and are revered as sacred animals. This contrast provided an ideal setting to study the physiological stress responses of muggers in varying environmental conditions.

The study, by researchers from Ahmedabad University and Madras Crocodile Bank Trust, highlights the impact of human activities and environmental conditions on wildlife, emphasising the need for tailored conservation strategies. Physiological stress can be detrimental to wildlife. Previous studies have shown that chronic stress can impact the reproductive and immune systems in species. Monitoring the stress provides an understanding of whether the species is at risk under a given condition and such research can then better inform...

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