The Karnali river in Bardia National Park is home to the endangered gharial crocodile and mugger crocodile.
Gharial crocodile inhabits the Karnali-Babai River in Bardia National Park. There are few crocodiles of this species in the river. This crocodile species has a very thin and long snout, hence its great accuracy in hunting fish. It has 110 sharp teeth, and a male can reach up to 6 meters. It is a critically endangered animal mainly due to habitat loss due to sand mining and conversion to agriculture, depletion of fisheries resources and harmful fishing methods. There is currently a breeding centre for the Gharial Crocodile species, to help with the conservation of the specie and to reintroduce in the wildlife.
The mugger crocodile is a medium-sized, wide-snouted crocodile and he is carnivore. The maximum size of this species is 5m in length and it is native to freshwater. There are now over 200 on the Karnali River in Bardia National Park. The bridge that exists in the way of Bardia on the main road of Nepalganj usually offers good views for the crocodiles. You can see them in the water or on mud and sand banks below the bridge.