Kendrapara: A total of 1,698 estuarine crocodiles including three reptiles admeasuring more than 20-ft each were sighted in and outside the waterbodies of Rajnagar mangrove forest division (wildlife) during the headcount drive of estuarine crocodiles-2018. The population of the endangered reptiles marginally has gone up this year, said crocodile researcher Sudhakar Kar.
According to the census report, this year saw an increase of 16 estuarine crocodiles. In 2017 census, the forest officials sighted 1,682 crocodiles whereas this time the number has gone up to 1698,said Kar.
“Out of 1,698 salt water crocodiles, hatchlings accounted for 610, yearlings 338, juveniles 267 (3-6 ft), sub-adults 172 (6-8 ft) and adult crocodiles 311, the census report this year confirmed.
Among the adults, there were 128 salt water crocodiles in the sizes of 8-10 feet while 90 crocodiles were between 10 and 12 feet long, 50 crocodiles measured 12 to 14 feet long, 21 salt crocodiles were between 14-16 feet long, a dozen crocodiles were between 16-18 feet and seven reptiles were 20 feet long.
The enumerators also sighted 12 albino crocodiles including 42-year old captive albino Gori and another nine-year-old captive albino.
In 2017 crocodile census , out of 1,682 salt water crocodiles, the number of hatchlings were 608 while yearlings numbered 334, juveniles 266 (3-6 feet), sub adults 172 (6-8 feet) and adults 302 (8-20 feet ).
The headcount of estuarine crocodiles started from January 3 and ended January 10. A cluster of 20 enumerator teams consisting of wildlife personnel, crocodile experts and researchers, divided into 54 segments conducted the head count. The method of census adopted to count this crocodilian species was individual total count by direct day and night time sighting/counting. Each unit was provided with a census kit (map showing the area including river and creeks, route to follow, binocular, spot light/powerful torch light with cells, notebook, pen/pencil, day and night census forms and VHF sets. Small boats were used for day and night counting of crocodiles in the narrow creeks and creeklets.
It may be noted that the Bhitarkanika National Park authorities had imposed a ban from January 3 to January 10 on tourists to prevent noise pollution during the census drive.
Mugger population dips in Ghodahada
Berhampur: The population of the mugger, an endangered crocodile species in Ghodahada irrigation reservoir and adjoining water bodies near Digapahandi in Ganjam district, has decreased, according to a senior forest department officer.
The number of muggers in and around the reservoir was pegged at 45, including 25 adults, 17 sub-adults and three juveniles. This was revealed by the day-long mugger census held Monday, Berhampur divisional forest officer (DFO), Asish Kumar Behera, said.
While 28 muggers were found in the five sqkm reservoir, the rest were spotted in the surrounding water bodies, he said. The mugger population in the reservoir had remained stagnant at 55 for the past two years. In 2015, the reptiles were numbered at 49.
Officials said 39 muggers had been spotted in the reservoir area last year and 16, in the nearby water bodies. In 2016, 44 and 11 muggers had been spotted in the reservoir and outside it, respectively, they added.
“It is possible that some muggers could have escaped being counted in the annual enumeration as the reservoir was full of water,” said the DFO.
He said another census would be held within the next three months, after the water level decreased. Mugger is one of the three crocodile species found in the state. The others are the gharial and the salt-water or estuarine crocodile.
The DFO, however, ruled out fishing in the reservoir as a cause of the reduction in mugger numbers. “There was no report of any crocodile dying in the reservoir last year,” Behera said. The muggers in Ghodahada can swim safely as local fishermen, who use the water body, do not harm the endangered animals.
