Kendrapada: The annual census of the saltwater crocodiles in Bhitarkanika National Park in Kendrapada district will begin from January 5 and continue till January 14..
The DFO of Rajnagar Wildlife Division, Bikash Ranjan Dash, informed that 10 teams on nine boats will count the crocodiles in 27 creeks and rivers within the park and its nearby areas.
Dash stated that the census will be conducted under the supervision of wildlife personnel. The enumerators will be assisted by trained local forest staffers and herpetologists including noted crocodile researcher Dr Sudhakar Kar, he added.
He said the park will remain closed from January 5 to 14 for tourists for their safety.