Bhitarkanika National Park sees increase in nesting sites of estuarine crocodiles

It is good news for Bhitarkanika National Park which is an internationally acclaimed wetland site in Odisha. As many as 68 nesting sites of estuarine crocodiles have been spotted as the annual breeding ritual of these reptiles has reached its peak stage. 66 of these sites were spotted within the core area of Bhitarkanika National Park and two more along Mahanadi deltaic region under Mahakalpada forest range outside the Park territory. Last year 66 nesting sites had been spotted.
This has been reported in thestatesman.com dated 14 June 2016.

The authorities expect the number of nesting sites to increase as breeding phenomenon is picking pace. The nests were sighted by wildlife enumerators of the forest department and were along the innumerable nullahs, creeks and water-inlets in the Bhitarkanika river system which are ideal habitat for saltwater crocodiles.
The females lay 50 to 60 eggs and the hatchlings usually emerge within 70-80 days of incubation period. The forest officials take care to ensure that the eggs are safe and not devoured by predators like snakes, jackals and dogs. Incidentally, the number of salt water crocodiles in Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary stood at 1644 as per latest census.


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org

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