NEWIND PRESS (Chennai, India) 13 June 06 World’s largest crocodile in Bhitarkanika
Bhubaneswar/ Kendrapara: Wildlife lovers of Orissa have a reason to cheer as the world’s largest reptile belongs to Bhitarkanika. A 23-foot long crocodile from the estuaries of Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary has found itself in the pages of 2006 edition of Guinness World Records.
As per the latest enumeration carried out by the Wildlife Wing of the Forest Department, there are 1462 crocodiles –– saltwater ones (crocodylus porosus) –– in the rivers and creeks of Bhitarkanika. The Natural World section of Guinness World Records 2006 says the sanctuary is home to four of these massive protected crocodiles which measure between 19 and 23 feet.
According to Chief Wildlife Warden S C Mohanty, Bhitarkanika is home to some of the world’s largest crocodiles. In fact, the 2006 census says that there are three crocodiles which measure over 20 feet including the one in the record book.
Besides, there are five such crocodiles between 18 feet and 20 feet, while in the range of 16 feet to 18 feet, the number is eight, he said. “It is good news for the Department because crocodile conservation measures have paid off in Bhitarkanika. It is a success story,” Mohanty said.
Wildlife officials had spotted well over 60 nests in the estuaries of Bhitarkanika during the enumeration. Last year, the crocodile population in the sanctuary had dropped by 100 but picked up this year to touch over 1400.
In 1976, the State Government launched the crocodile conservation programme with external assistance. A survey put the number of these saltwater crocodiles at just 95 including 34 adults. The Government collected eggs and released hatchlings in the wild to build their population.
Thirty years later, these reptiles have grown in numbers so successfully as to create a man-animal conflict situation in their habitat which sometimes threatens to get out of control.
http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEQ20060612235430&Page=Q&Title=ORISSA&Topic=0&
