Crocodile census to start in Bhaitarnika National Park today

Kendrapara: The Bhitarkanika National Park will remain closed for ten days for tourists from Wednesday to carry out the headcount drive of Estuarine Crocodile.
DFO of Rajnagar Mangrove (Forest) and wildlife Division Gopinath Sudarshan Yadav said the restriction on the entry of visitors will be imposed to prevent noise pollution during the census drive.
The headcount drive of Saltwater crocodiles will be organized under the supervision of the DFO of Rajnagar Mangrove (Forest) and wildlife Division.
Both day and night census operations will be monitored and supervised by the technical expert, deputed from the Wildlife Headquarters.
The enumerators, assisted by the trained local forest staff will cover the Bhitarkanika river system besides innumerable creeks, water inlets, and nullahs, where the reptiles are found abundant during the census time.
The saltwater crocodile, being amphibious, can be counted directly both on land, while basking on the river bed, and on floating on the water’s surface.
During the daytime, crocodiles basking on land are easier to count and their size class can be estimated easily and accurately.
At night, crocodiles less than 6 feet floating on water or resting on land can be counted by using a spotlight and catching the reflected ‘ruby red” glow from their eyes.
The Bhitarkanika National Park authority will adopt both traditional methods and also adopt the new technologically based mobile application – polygon search method like last year, Ranger of Kanika Forest Range Manas Kumar Das said.
An estimated 1784 Estuarine crocodiles, including 4 measuring more than 20 feet long were spotted in and outside the water bodies of Rajnagar Mangrove Forest Division(wildlife) during the headcount drive last year. (UNI)