‘Swindon croc’ returns to Museum & Art Swindon

The gharial, which has been in Swindon Borough Council’s possession since 1931, was unveiled by the Leader of the Council, Cllr Jim Robbins, Deputy Mayor of Swindon Cllr Neil Hopkins, and South Swindon MP Heidi Alexander at a special event at the Civic Offices.
A member of the crocodilian order of reptiles, and originally found in the Indian subcontinent, the gharial has been displayed in a number of exhibitions throughout the years, but required much-needed restoration work before making its debut at Museum & Art Swindon.

This work included replacing some of the preserved specimen's teeth which had seemingly been taken as souvenirs in earlier times when the gharial was displayed at the old Museum and Art Gallery in Old Town.

Cllr Robbins said: “The gharial, or ‘Swindon Croc’ as it’s fondly known, is one of the most famous pieces in Swindon’s collection and was the figurehead of the Save the Croc campaign when the Museum & Art Gallery closed at Apsley House in Old Town.
“I’ve been a real advocate for the gharial’s return, so I am incredibly pleased it’s now in its rightful place and I’d like to thank council officers for finally making it happen. The gharial is more than just a stuffed reptile in a museum and we want to make sure its long and complex history, which intertwines with Britain’s past and the country’s place in the world, is explored in the right way.
“The croc’s back, why not come and see it for yourself? It's perfect that it's returned just ahead of a school holiday, so I hope lots of Swindon families will be visiting to see the famous Croc. It’s even got its own merch!”

Heidi Alexander said: "The last time that I saw the croc was probably when I was about eight years old in the Museum up at Apsley House in Old Town. I can remember it from my childhood.

"I do think it looms very large in the memory of Swindonians and people who came and visited Swindon. What's so fantastic about this new museum and art gallery here at the Civic Offices is that we're starting to see people wanting to come back to Swindon, to spend leisure time in Swindon, to visit Swindon, and I am sure that this is going to be a very big and important attraction.

"I would just like to say a very big thank you to everyone who has made this possible - the officers at Swindon Borough Council, I know, and Cllr Marina Strinkovsky worked very hard on this as well."

 While the gharial was being restored, the museum team, working alongside a group of young people, developed a new display which now sits as part of the MAS introductory area, within the revamped ‘Origins’ gallery.

As part of the work to create the new exhibition, the team looked into the history of the gharial, the moral, ethical and legal considerations of protecting a critically-endangered species, where it can currently be found in the wild and what it means to the people of Swindon.
The new exhibition also highlights creatures in Wiltshire which are on the critical, list such as the West European Hedgehog and the Lapwing.
To celebrate the arrival of the gharial to Museum & Art Swindon, special merchandise is available including a plush toy which can also be purchased through the museum’s website.
People wishing to see the gharial can visit MAS Tuesdays to Saturdays, 10.30am to 4.30pm. The museum is free to enter. More on the Museum & Art Swindon website, https://www.museumartswindon.com/

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