Crocodiles increase their numbers in Bhitarkanika park
Jan 18, 2007 - 7:55:01 AM
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Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has asked the union communications ministry to bring out a postage stamp on the reptile.
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By IANS,
[RxPG] Kendrapada -, Jan 18 - Orissa's renowned Bhitarkanika sanctuary has added 28 crocodiles in the last year to reach an impressive total of 1,482.
The crocodile census in the national park in the coastal district of Kendrapada, about 170 km from here, was conducted by forest officials, environmentalists, NGOs and locals from Jan 3-10.
The 1,482 saltwater crocodiles include 503 hatchlings and 224 adults, as well as three reptiles measuring more than 20 ft, said Bhitarkanika divisional forest officer A.K. Jena.
At least 54 saltwater crocodile nesting sites were spotted four months ago at the creeks, drains and river systems in the park, which was closed for visitors during the census.
'We also spotted 50-60 eggs in each of these nesting sites that hatched by natural processes last month. Forest officials at the Dangamala crocodile breeding and research centre within the park collected 135 crocodile eggs,' Jena told IANS.
Recently, 110 eggs hatched at Dangamala. The forest department will be keeping a close watch on the baby crocodiles, the official said.
The number of crocodiles in the park has been steadily going up.
In 2000, 1,192 estuarine crocodiles were counted. This went up to 1,330 in 2001, 1,454 in 2005 and now 1,482.
The crocodile breeding and rearing project in Dangamala started in 1975 by the ministry of forests and environment in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme -.
Bhitarkanika found a mention in the Guinness Book of World Records last year with a 23-feet saltwater crocodile listed as the largest in the world.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has asked the union communications ministry to bring out a postage stamp on the reptile.
The Bhitarkanika sanctuary is also known for mangrove forests and its many species of migratory birds. It is widely known as the world's largest rookery of Olive Ridley sea turtles.
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