4 months ago
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Odisha’s estuarine crocodile colonisation has accrued by 32, reaching 1,858, aft State Forest and Environment Department introduced a aviator drone-based survey this year.
The yearly estimation of saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) was conducted from January 8 to 10, 2026, crossed stream systems successful and astir Bhitarkanika National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, Gahirmatha Wildlife Sanctuary, the Mahanadi deltaic area, and the Devi stream rima area.
Odisha has India’s largest colonisation of saltwater crocodile successful earthy habitat.
According to the bureau of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife), a full of 1858 crocodiles were counted, comprising 531 hatchlings (28.58%), 442 yearlings (23.79%), 365 juveniles (19.64%), 167 sub-adults (8.99%) and 353 adults (19%).
“Out of the full crocodiles counted, a maximum of 1,424 (76.64%) were spotted successful Kanika Wildlife Range, which includes wood blocks and rivers starting from Khola to Bhitarkanika-Pathasala confluence,” the section said.
“As galore arsenic 292 (15.72%) crocodiles were recorded successful Rajnagar wildlife range. In Mahanadi delta of Mahakalpada Range 99 (5.33 %) crocodiles were recorded, and successful Gahirmatha wildlife scope a full of 43 (2.31%) crocodiles were counted. Survey results bespeak that determination is summation of 32 crocodiles successful examination to January-2025 estimation results (1858 crocodiles),” the section said.
A full of 24 census teams were deployed to number crocodiles crossed 54 segments. Population estimation was warried retired by postulation of information done idiosyncratic counts, utilizing boat-based surveys conducted during some daytime and nighttime.
“Crocodiles measuring much than 6 feet were categorised arsenic sub adults and adults, counted during the day. Hatchlings (< 2 ft), yearlings (2 to 3ft) and juveniles (3 to 6 ft) were chiefly counted astatine nighttime utilizing almighty spotlights.
P.K. Jha, PCCF (Wildlife) said a aviator drone-based survey was conducted successful December to measure the usage of drones for crocodile estimation. “Key survey parameters specified arsenic formation height, timing, transect design, complaint of detection, and carnal effect were recorded to facilitate standardisation of drone-based survey protocols,” helium said.
“As a aboriginal strategy, drones and cameras volition beryllium utilized successful selected stream segments to place and illustration idiosyncratic crocodiles based connected distinctive morphological features. This attack volition supplement existing colonisation data, trim perceiver bias, and fortify the spatial database connected crocodile organisation and abundance,” Mr. Jha said.
