Croc hatchlings emerge in Odisha’s Bhitarkanika National Park

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Kendrapara, Aug 24:

The forest officials have spotted saltwater crocodile hatchlings emerging from the nests along the creeks in the Bhitarkanika National Park in Odisha’s Kendrapara district.

Out of a total of 68 nests found inside the Park, the hatchlings have been spotted at 51 nests.

Out of 66 eggs incubated at the Dangamala hatchery, 51 hatchlings have emerged.

“We will take care of the hatchlings at the Dangamala hatchery till they attain a length of three feet. After that they would be released in the creeks”, said DFO of Rajnagar Wildlife Division Kedar Kumar Swain.

A team of 12 forest guards led by the Kanika forest range officer Durga Sahu is entrusted with the care and protection of these hatchlings at the hatchery, he said, adding that the 35 hatchlings which were incubated at the hatchery last year would be released in the river this winter.

The DFO also informed that nearly 3,500 hatchlings are expected to come out of 68 nests along the creeks and riverside of the park in a couple of days.