Rise in Saltwater Crocodile Population at Bhitarkanika, 1811 recorded during annual census

Bhubaneswar: The population of saltwater crocodiles in Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary and its surrounding areas in Odisha’s Kendrapara district has seen a marginal increase this year.

A three-day census, concluded on January 12, revealed a total of 1,811 estuarine crocodiles in Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary and its nearby regions. This marks a slight increase from the 1,793 crocodiles spotted during the previous year’s census.

The enumeration reported the presence of 582 hatchlings (below 2 feet), 387 yearlings (2-3 feet), 327 juveniles (3-6 feet), 167 sub-adults (6-8 feet), and 348 adult crocodiles (above 8 feet) at Bhitarkanika this year.

Comparatively, the previous year’s census recorded 569 hatchlings, 388 yearlings, 325 juveniles, 166 sub-adults, and 345 adults in the wildlife sanctuary.

For the three-day census that commenced on January 10, the Forest department organized 22 teams comprising forest guards, locals, and environmentalists to conduct the survey.