By: Sharad AkavoorBHOPAL: Ten days after efforts to rescue an entangled gharial began at Kaliasot dam, a team from Etawah Uttar Pradesh reached the city on Wednesday to assist in operations. The group, of five fishermen, was accompanied by wildlife experts who surveyed the area around which the gharial was resting on Wednesday afternoon.A fishing net has been entangled on the upper jaw of reptile since January 28 that has been evading catchers ever since, forest officials said.On Wednesday, as soon as fishermen set out to assess the spot, the gharial drifted back into the reservoir. Two of the gharials, which were sighted on Sunday, had been basking earlier. Forest officials added that the team from Etawah has rescued several gharials back in their home state. "At the moment, fishing net is entwined on one of the gharials that we have been able to track. The gharial is able to open its mouth," said SDO Sunil Bhardwaj who is coordinating the rescue efforts. "We are not yet sure if the second gharial is entangled or not," he said. Officials had on Monday asserted that there was no danger of starvation to the gharial. It had been able to catch and eat fish. "During this season especially, the gharial is able to go without food for much longer than usual.," said SDO Bhardwaj. Two wildlife experts - Arunima Singh from NGO Turtle Survival Alliance and Himanshu Joshi from Wildlife Conservation Trust - surveyed the area. "We conducted the basic check needed before such a rescue operation. We checked the depth of reservoir water and surveyed the basking points," said Joshi.He said rescue efforts would resume on Thursday morning. Singh and Joshi also had discussions with Van Vihar National Park director Sameeta Rajora "The plan is to begin rescue operations at 8 in morning. Earlier, we had people to handle the situation, but did not have the right equipment and experience to rescue an animal like gharial," Sameeta Rajora said, adding both gharials seem to be trapped. She added the two gharials would be brought to Van Vihar after rescue.

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