In June 2017, Indian wildlife photographer Dhritiman Mukherjee captured an astonishing moment at the National Chambal Sanctuary in northern India: a massive male gharial crocodile swimming through the river with more than 100 tiny hatchlings piggybacking across his head and back.

Key Highlights of the Story

1. One Dad, Many Mothers

Unlike many animal species where maternal care dominates, male gharials take on a deeply active role in parenting. Researchers revealed that this single male had mated with seven to eight females. As a result, the sprawling nursery resting on his back comprised offspring from multiple nests, all united under his watchful care.

2. Why Ride on His Back?

Most crocodilians—like alligators and true crocodiles—transport their offspring safely inside their wide jaws. However, gharials have evolved extremely long, narrow snouts fitted with delicate teeth designed specifically for catching fish. Carrying babies in their mouths would risk crushing them.

Instead, the tiny hatchlings clamber onto the adult male’s head, neck, and back. As he glides through the river currents, this living ferry offers safety in numbers and keeps the vulnerable infants protected from predators like birds and larger fish.

3. A Sanctuary on the Brink

The striking photograph was taken inside India’s National Chambal Sanctuary, one of the last major refuges for this unique reptile.

• Conservation Status: Critically Endangered (Gharials are native to the river systems of the Indian subcontinent).

• Primary Threats: Habitat loss, entanglement in commercial fishing nets, sand mining, and river damming.

A Powerful Message for Wildlife Conservation

Dhritiman Mukherjee’s award-winning photograph did far more than go viral—it shone an international spotlight on an endangered species fighting for survival. By capturing such a tender, surprising moment of paternal devotion, the image serves as a powerful reminder of nature's beauty and the urgent need to protect delicate freshwater ecosystems.

Did You Know?

Male gharials develop a distinctive bulbous growth at the end of their snouts called a "ghara" (named after the Indian clay pot). They use it to buzz, blow bubbles, and signal during courtship and territory defense!