Endangered white crocodile population rises in Bhitarkanika

Kendrapara, Jan 23 (PTI) The wetlands of Bhitarkanika
in India's eastern state of Orissa continue to be a hospitable
habitat for threatened white salt water crocodiles with the
latest census showing that their number has touched 1,572, up
from 1,498 last year.

According to the 2009 census, the number of these
brackish water estuarine reptiles has increased by as much as
74, compared to an increase of only 16 in 2008 over the 2007
year census figure of 1,482, a senior forest official said.

The pertinent feature of this year's census, which was
held between January 12 and 18, was that 20 adult and
sub-adult white crocodiles were counted inhabiting these water
bodies.

Besides this species in the wild, 'Gori', a 33-year-old
female white crocodile is being reared in captivity at
Dangamal crocodile research centre. It is one of the treasured
possessions of the wildlife sanctuary.

At least three giant size crocodiles measuring above
20-ft-long were spotted during the annual enumeration
operation, the official said.

The length of crocodiles measured may not be accurate as
the department is not equipped with state-of-the-art
equipment.

Compared to other locations in the country, the
internationally acclaimed Bhitarkanika Ramsar wetland houses
the largest number of these reptiles, forest officials said.

The swampy mangrove-infested region is cris-crossed by
innumerable water inlets, creeks and nullahs forming part of
the Bhitarkanika river system.

Although the total area of the sanctuary is 472 sq km,
water bodies measuring only about 26 sq km have saline
content. Consequently, the reptiles which prefer brackish
water, are finding their habitat threatened. More so, because
the salinity level in some of the water bodies might be
decreasing, researchers studying salt water crocs said.

Moreover, the annual growth in the population is further
squeezing their habitat, they said.