Over 1,500 Baby Crocodiles Hatch in Odisha's Bhitarkanika National Park
More than 1,500 saltwater crocodile hatchlings have emerged from their nests in and around Bhitarkanika National Park in Odisha, marking a conservation success. This year, forest officials identified 117 nesting sites for the vulnerable species. Bhitarkanika is home to about 70% of India's estuarine crocodile population, which has grown from just 96 in 1975 to over 1,800 today due to dedicated conservation efforts. The park was closed to tourists for two months to ensure an undisturbed nesting season.
Unpacked:
Key measures included the 1975 launch of the Crocodile Conservation Project, habitat protection, a hatchery with a 'rear and release' approach, strict anti-hunting laws, and the designation of Bhitarkanika as a wildlife sanctuary. These efforts, supported by the UNDP and FAO, enabled populations to recover from near extinction in the 1970s to over 1,800 today.
The park was closed for two months to prevent disturbances to nesting saltwater crocodiles. Human activity during this critical period can stress the animals, reduce nesting success, and endanger hatchlings, so closure helps ensure higher survival rates for the vulnerable species.
Bhitarkanika is the second-largest mangrove ecosystem in India, after the Sundarbans. It supports over 60 mangrove species, diverse birdlife, sea turtles, fish, and crustaceans. Its wetlands protect coastlines from erosion and serve as a crucial biodiversity hotspot.
Prior to 1975, saltwater crocodiles faced severe threats from hunting, habitat destruction, and predation of eggs and hatchlings. Overhunting and exploitation of the mangroves by the princely state of Kanika led to their drastic decline, with only about 95 crocodiles remaining in the mid-1970s.