Now there are 9 protected areas for this species in India which are linked to both captive breeding and ` ranching ' operations where eggs collected from the wild are raised in captivity ( to reduce mortality due to natural predators ) and then released back into the wild ( the first being released in 1981 ) . Now there are 9 protected areas for this species in India , which are linked to both captive breeding and ` ranching ' operations , where eggs collected from the wild are raised in captivity to reduce mortality due to natural predators . Since 1981 , more than 3000 young gharial have been released into the wild .