Bantala: Satkosia wildlife sanctuary has witnessed an increase in crocodile population with about 123 gharials and muggers found inhabiting the Mahanadi river gorge and adjoining pools inside the sanctuary during a recent census, reports said.
According to the census report, 107 muggers and 16 gharials were spotted in the sanctuary area. During 2015 census, the crocodile population was estimated at 107 – 90 muggers and 17 gharials.
During the census drive carried out January 8, three gharials and 66 muggers were found in Mahanadi river gorge. In the census carried out at night, 12 muggers were found in the river while 18 of them were found in various pools inside the sanctuary.
Thirteen gharials and four muggers were found in Tikarpada gharial conservation and research centre. Similarly, there are seven muggers in various pools of Athamallik forest division.
The census programme was carried out under the direct supervision of Angul circle regional chief conservator of forests (RCCF) while Mahanadi DFO Anshupragyan Das, Satkosia DFO SMDT Raheman, ACF Subhendu Behera and OFS probationer Sanat Kumar oversaw the entire exercise, forest officials said. PNN
