Crocodile population rises In Bhitarkanika National Park

number of crocodiles in Bhitarkanika National Park in Odisha's Kendrapara district has increased as per findings of latest hecount of reptiles.

At least 1,757 salt-water crocodiles including albi species were counted this year along water-bodies of Mahani deltaic region while census figure recorded last year stood at 1,742, said Divisional Forest Officer, Rajnagar Mangrove (wildlife) Forest Division, Bikash Ranjan Das.

Though estuarine crocodiles are also found in West Bengals Sundarbans and Andaman Islands, density of croc population is more in Bhitarkanika, he said.

latest census figure of se animals, which was released by Forest department on Saturday, has come out with an encouraging trend of rise in number of estuarine crocodiles.

Four giant male crocodiles measuring more than 20-feet long were sighted by enumerators. This included a 21-foot long crocodile that finds a pride of place in Guinness book of record as worlds largest living crocodile, official said.

breakup of crocodiles sighted is Hatchlings-620, Yearlings-325, juveniles-288, sub-ults-185, ults-339, said census report.

region is crisscrossed by innumerable water inlets, creeks and nullahs all forming part of Bhitarkanika river system.

enumerators extensively covered vulnerable riverside vills where reports of man-croc conflict h reached a flashpoint in recent past. However, sighting of se reptiles was few and far.

Four deces ago when Government of India and UNDP thought of saving crocodiles, re were hardly three to four nests detected in area while population of salt-water crocodiles in Bhitarkanika area was estimated to be 95, including 34 ults. w, population has swollen to 1,757.

Since 1977, salt-water crocodile eggs have also been collected locally, and young crocodiles have been released in creeks and estuaries. "We have been able to reverse declining crocodile population and make area a safe habitat for reptile", said official.