Crocodile population rises to 1,610 in Bhitarkanika

KENDRAPARA - The crocodile population in Orissa’s Bhitarkanika national park here has gone up to 1,610 — from last year’s 1,572, a week-long census revealed Thursday.

“A total of 1,610 estuarine crocodiles, including three reptiles measuring more than 20 feet, were sighted in the water bodies of the park,” the park’s divisional forest officer (DFO) Prasanna Kumar Behera told IANS.

The increase in the crocodile population is attributed to various conservation measures the state government has taken in the locality.

The counting of the crocodiles was conducted Dec 31-Jan 8, involving forest officials, environmentalists, activists of non-government organizations and local residents.