117 croc nests spotted in Bhitarkanika
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Kendrapada: Altogether 117 crocodile nests were spotted in Bhitarkanika National Park during a counting conducted from July 1 to 13 this year. Last year, the count was 114.
The counting exercise conducted in India's second largest mangrove forest after Sundarbans, is considered a challenging and risky operation due to the presence of numerous crocodiles in the water bodies and mangrove forest.
"Female crocodiles are particularly aggressive during nesting and hatching seasons, as they guard their nests against perceived threats," said Sudrashan Gopinath Yadav, divisional forest officer (DFO) of Bhitarkanika National Park.
The park remains shut to tourists from May 1 to July 31 during the mating and nesting seasons of the saltwater crocodiles to prevent disturbance to their breeding patterns.
According to Sudhakar Kar, a noted herpetologist, each female crocodile lays 50 to 60 eggs per nest.
"The mother reptiles guards these eggs from predators such as jackals, wild dogs, and fishing cats, while also protecting them from rainwater by covering them with leaves," he said.
Data of previous years shows fluctuating nest numbers, with 122 nests recorded in both 2022 and 2023. The number dropped to 84 in 2021 due to flooding from Cyclone Yaas.
The latest crocodile census in Jan 2025 counted 1,821 crocodiles in the park. While the forest department has discontinued its crocodile breeding programme due to population saturation, it maintains a small breeding facility at Dangamal for research and tourism purposes, currently housing 42 eggs.
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New Indian Express
16-07-2025
- New Indian Express
117 nests of crocodiles spotted in Bhitarkanika
KENDRAPARA: Forest officials have counted 117 nests of saltwater crocodiles during the breeding season this year in Bhitarkanika National Park. The number of nests has marginally increased this year as 114 crocodiles had nested during the breeding season in 2024. Divisional forest officer (DFO) of Bhitarkanika Sudarshan Gopinath Yadav said 30 experienced forest personnel with knowledge of crocodile behaviour were engaged in the nest counting exercise. The nest counting exercise in Bhitarkanika is a challenging and risky job due to the presence of a large number of crocodiles in the water bodies and mangrove forests. Besides, female crocodiles guard their nests and can become aggressive towards any perceived threat during the nesting season, he said. Sources said in 2023 and 2022, forest personnel had counted 122 nests in Bhitarkanika. In 2021, only 84 nests were found in the park due to inundation and tidal waves caused by cyclone Yaas. Similarly, 103 nests of the estuarine crocodiles were found in 2020 and 2019. The DFO said Bhitarkanika was closed for visitors from May 1 to July 31 to avoid causing any disturbance to saltwater crocodiles during their mating and nesting.
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Time of India
117 croc nests spotted in Bhitarkanika
1 2 Kendrapada: Altogether 117 crocodile nests were spotted in Bhitarkanika National Park during a counting conducted from July 1 to 13 this year. Last year, the count was 114. The counting exercise conducted in India's second largest mangrove forest after Sundarbans, is considered a challenging and risky operation due to the presence of numerous crocodiles in the water bodies and mangrove forest. "Female crocodiles are particularly aggressive during nesting and hatching seasons, as they guard their nests against perceived threats," said Sudrashan Gopinath Yadav, divisional forest officer (DFO) of Bhitarkanika National Park. The park remains shut to tourists from May 1 to July 31 during the mating and nesting seasons of the saltwater crocodiles to prevent disturbance to their breeding patterns. According to Sudhakar Kar, a noted herpetologist, each female crocodile lays 50 to 60 eggs per nest. "The mother reptiles guards these eggs from predators such as jackals, wild dogs, and fishing cats, while also protecting them from rainwater by covering them with leaves," he said. Data of previous years shows fluctuating nest numbers, with 122 nests recorded in both 2022 and 2023. The number dropped to 84 in 2021 due to flooding from Cyclone Yaas. The latest crocodile census in Jan 2025 counted 1,821 crocodiles in the park. While the forest department has discontinued its crocodile breeding programme due to population saturation, it maintains a small breeding facility at Dangamal for research and tourism purposes, currently housing 42 eggs.
New Indian Express
17-06-2025
- New Indian Express
Week-long celebration in Odisha as crocodile conservation turns 50
KENDRAPARA: Come Tuesday, Odisha will commemorate 50 years of its pioneering crocodile conservation projects on World Crocodile Day. In 1975, three conservation projects were launched in the state for as many species - salt-water crocodiles in Bhitarkanika, gharials in Satkosia and muggar in Similipal. These initiatives have gone on to transform reptile conservation in the country. 'The main objective of the crocodile conservation project was to protect their natural habitats and rebuild the population quickly through captive breeding,' said Dr Sudhakar Kar, noted herpetologist and former wildlife researcher of the Forest department. Over five decades, these initiatives have become one of India's most successful wildlife conservation programmes. 'We are happy for the success for which Forest department has decided to celebrate 50th anniversary of Crocodile Conservation Project in the state on June 17 by organising week-long meetings, seminars, workshops, photo exhibitions, quiz and painting competitions,' said principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF), wildlife Prem Kumar Jha. Dr Kar began saltwater crocodile breeding and rearing work in Bhitarkanika in 1975 alongside noted Australian herpetologist Dr H R Bustard. He is continuing his pioneering work even 13 years after retirement. Expressing concern over the increasing human-crocodile conflict in Bhitarkanika, he said forest officials have warned riverside villagers not to venture into creeks and rivers and erected barricades at several ghats to prevent attacks. As per the latest census report, Satkosia gorge is home to 16 gharials, 1,826 salt-water crocodiles reside in Bhitarkanika National Park and around 300 muggers live in the rivers of the state.
