Nandankanan zoo to get 40 crocodile eggs from Bhitarkanika in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: In a bid to increase the number of saltwater crocodiles at Nandankanan Zoological Park, authorities have decided to collect as many as 40 eggs of the reptile from Bhitarkanika National Park.

Total 40 Saltwater crocodile eggs will be deported from Bhitarkanika in Kendrapara district to Nandankanan, situated on outskirts of Bhubaneswar. In this regard, the Rajnagar DFO has been informed by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF).

In a letter, the PCCF asked the DFO in Rajnagar to identify the crocodile nests damaged in the sea tides and to be prepared for sending eggs.

According to reports, the saltwater crocodiles have laid eggs in 82 nests in Kanika range, out of which two nests have been spoiled due to sea tides in Kalibhanjadia area. As the female crocodile is protecting the eggs staying nearby the damaged nests, the eggs will be collected after she moves to water.

Sources said that out of the eggs collected from the nests, 40 eggs will be handed over to the Nandankanan authorities. The incubation of remaining eggs will be made through artificial process at Crocodile Research Centre at Dangmal.

Notably, the female crocodiles have started laying eggs in Bhitarkanika from the month of May during their breeding season. The process will continue till July.