Odisha

Crocodile Population Goes Up In Odisha’s Bhitarkanika National Park & Satkosia

By
OB Bureau

Kendrapada: The population of crocodiles in Bhitarkanika National Park and Satkosia sanctuary in Odisha has gone up as per the latest census.

The population of saltwater or estuarine crocodiles in and around Bhitarkanika National Park in Kendrapada district has marginally increased this year. There are 1,811 crocodiles in the park, according to forest officials who conducted the annual census. Last year, the crocodiles numbered 1,793.

The Forest department formed 22 teams in 51 segments to count estuarine crocodiles in all creeks and rivers within the park and its nearby areas. The census was conducted from January 10 to 12, a suitable time to count the animals owing to the peak winter, exposure of more than 50 per cent of mud banks and the lunar cycle, said divisional forest officer of Bhitarkanika National Park, Sudarshan Gopinath Yadav.

Bhitarkanika is the second-largest mangrove forest in the country after the Sundarbans in West Bengal. Both areas are among the three strongholds of saltwater crocodiles — the largest reptiles in the world — in India, the third being the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

The headcount drive was conducted under the supervision of wildlife personnel. The enumerators, assisted by trained local forest staff and some herpetologists including noted crocodile researcher Sudhakar Kar, covered the Bhitarkanika river system as well as innumerable creeks, water inlets and nullahs.

During the census, the teams sighted 582 hatchlings (two feet in length), 387 yearlings (2-3 feet), 327 juveniles (3-6 feet), 167 sub-adults (6-8 feet long) and 348 adults (more than 8 feet long), sources said.

Apart from Bhitarkanika, the population of crocodiles in Satkosia has also increased this year.
As per information shared by Satkosia DFO Saroj Kumar Panda, there were 81 muggers and seven gharials in the gorge sanctuary last year. This year, the population of mugger crocodiles has increased to 97 while that of gharials has gone up to 14.

However, the the number of birds visiting the Satkosia sanctuary has declined. Last year, around 3,800 birds were sighted while their number came down to 3,330 of 81 species this year.

The crocodile census was carried out from January 6 to 8, while the bird counting was conducted on January 10.

OB Bureau

Recent Posts

Siddhant Das To Step Down As Chairman Of Odisha Real Estate Regulatory Authority

Bhubaneswar: Siddhant Das has sought to step down as Chairman of Odisha Real Estate Regulatory…

November 25, 2024

ISL: Odisha FC Hammer Hyderabad 6-0, Biggest Win Of The Season

Hyderabad: Odisha FC went on a scoring spree at the Gachibowli Stadium as they humbled hosts…

November 25, 2024

Anurag Kashyap’s ‘Debut’ Film ‘Paanch’ To Be Released After 22 Years!

Mumbai: Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap’s directorial debut ‘Paanch’ is finally going to see the light of…

November 25, 2024

Taapsee Pannu Wants To Work With Big Heroes For This Reason

Mumbai: Actress Taapsee Pannu, who has shared screen space with very few A-listers, has now…

November 25, 2024

Vigilance Arrests Forester & ‘Gaon Sathi’ For Misappropriation Of Rs 10 Lakh Govt Funds In Odisha’s Koraput

Bhubaneswar: Vigilance has arrested a Forester and a Gaon Sathi (village mate) for alleged misappropriation…

November 25, 2024

IPL Auction: Vaibhav Suryavanshi Becomes A Crorepati At 13! Bhuvi Bags Rs 10.75 Cr

Mumbai: Ten days ago, Vaibhav Suryavanshi made headlines after becoming the youngest cricketer to make…

November 25, 2024

Loot Plan Foiled, 5 Persons Including 2 From Bihar Arrested In Odisha’s Bargarh

Bargarh: Police have foiled loot attempt by a gang of dacoits and arrested its five…

November 25, 2024

Javed Akhtar Blames Audience For Making Ranbir Kapoor’s ‘Animal’ A Hit; Film With ‘Wrong Values’

Mumbai: The Ranbir Kapoor starrer ‘Animal’ might have left cash registers ringing at the box…

November 25, 2024