Crocodiles Population Rises In Bhitarkanika

Kendrapara: The number of crocodiles rose to 1,742 in comparison to last year’s number 1,698 in the Bhitarkanika National Park in Kendrapara, informed a forest official on Monday.

The enumerators sighted 619 hatchlings, 347 yearlings, 273 juveniles, 178 sub-adults and 325 adults, according to the census report this year.

Of these reptiles, 12 white or albino crocs, four giant male crocodiles measuring more than 20 feet long, 43 large-size crocodiles that are 14 to 19 feet long, Rajnagar Mangrove (wildlife) Forest Division were found, said sources.

The giants included a 21 feet long croc, which finds pride of place in the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s largest living crocodile, the sources added.

According to the 2017 census, a total of 1,682 crocodiles were sighted. Out of 1,682 salt water crocodiles, the number of hatchlings were 608, while yearlings numbered 334, juveniles 266 (3-6 feet), sub adults 172 (6-8 feet) and adults 302 (8-20 feet).