In the animal kingdom, like in humans, all fathers are different. Someone abandons their cubs immediately after birth, or even runs away to another species so as not to start a family.
As for crocodiles, as a rule, the mother is responsible for the offspring: from the moment she lays eggs until she transports the babies in the mouth to a safe place.
Gharials are not like ordinary crocodiles. This is an endangered species.
In the water, the Gharial is fast and agile, but does not like to get out on land – because of its short legs and a powerful body, it becomes clumsy and moves only by crawling.
The narrow, toothed jaws, ideal for fishing, are poorly suited for defense or attack.
For the same reason, Gharials cannot, like other crocodiles, transport newborn babies from the shore to safe backwaters, carefully hiding them in their teeth.
And then the crocodile dad comes in.
He takes on his back all his offspring – tiny lizards that still cannot swim on their own – and transports them to the shelter.
Indian photographer Dhritiman Mukherjee managed to take a rare shot. He loves to observe the animal world of his native country and spy on amazing and touching moments.
But even he had to work hard to get close to the toothy giant and take a picture.
With his picture of the father of the year, the Indian guy reached the final of the prestigious 2020 Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition.
He says he wants to draw people’s attention to endangered species, to show them through the prism of humanity.
Perhaps, the consciousness of what a wonderful and caring father is a rare freshwater Gharial, people no longer want to turn him into a bag or a medicine.
And then most of these biting babies will grow, fill the reservoirs of India again, instead of sinking into history.
