SIFY (India) 16 January 11 1,654 crocodiles in Orissa park

Bhubaneswar (IANS): The estuarine crocodile population in Orissa's Bhitarkanika National Park has gone up to 1,654 from last year's 1,610, officials said Sunday.

Disclosing the results of the annual estuarine or salt water crocodile census conducted in the park in Kendrapada district from Jan 4-11, divisional forest officer Manoj Mohapatra said the increase in the population is a healthy sign.

'The habitat has remained appropriate for them (crocodiles). The growth of the population is adequate,' Mohapatra told IANS.

He said the rise is due to various conservation measures initiated in the park.

The crodiles spotted during the latest census include 531 hatchlings, 377 yearlings, 304 juveniles 166 sub-adults, 276 adults including four giants crocodiles measuring more than 20 foot long', he said.

The Bhitarkanika, over 170 km from here, is a hot spot of biodiversity. It is home to largest population of giant salt water crocodiles in the country. It is also home to more than 215 species of avifauna, including eight varieties of kingfishers.

The national park is India's second largest viable mangrove eco-system that harbours more than 70 species of mangrove and its associates. Gahirmatha beach in Bhitarkanika is considered one of the largest rookeries for endangered Olive Ridley sea turtles.
1,654 crocodiles in Orissa park

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