Nesting sites of estuarine crocodiles sighted in Bhitarkanika

The nests were sighted by wildlife enumerators of the forest department along the innumerable creeks and water-inlets in Bhitarkanika river system, an ideal habitat for saltwater crocodiles.

The figures might further increase as the counting of estuarine nest is still on, Manoj Kumar Mahapatra, Divisional Forest Officer, Rajnagar Mangrove (wildlife) Forest Division, said.

Last year, 57 nesting sites had been spotted, forest officials said.

Female crocodiles lay 50 to 60 eggs and the hatchlings usually emerge from the nests 70 to 80 days after incubation period. An estimated 700 crocodile hatchlings were sighted last year.

Forest department sources said due care was taken this time by wildlife staff so that crocodiles' eggs were not devoured by predators like snakes, jackals and dogs, found in the reserve.

The number of salt water crocodiles, the species which are not found in any other river system in Odisha, stands at 1654 as per the latest census in the sanctuary.

The wildlife sanctuary has remained out of bounds for tourists and visitors to ensure disturbance-free annual nesting of crocs. Besides the animals turn violent and restive over human interference in their habitat.

The restriction on entry to sanctuary was clamped on May 31 and it would be lifted on July 31, the officials said.MORE