Odisha’s Bhitarkanika Park opened for tourists

Sambad English Bureau Published On : Aug 1, 2015 at 10:53 AM Updated On : Aug 1, 2015 at 10:55 AM

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Kendrapara, Aug 1:

The Bhitarkanika National Park in Odisha’s Kendrapara district was opened this morning for the tourists.

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The Park was closed for three months since from May 1 for the breeding of saltwater crocodiles.

“As the saltwater crocodiles get aggressive and resort to unprovoked attack on the people during breeding season at this time of the year, the Forest department has closed the park till July 31,” DFO, Rajnagar Wildlife Division, Bimal Prasanna Acharya said.

The DFO said as per the annual census conducted in 2014, the population of saltwater crocodile in Bhitarkanika National Park has gone up to 1,665.

As per the last year census, 511 hatchlings, 380 yearlings, 317 juveniles, 149 sub-adults, 305 adults and three giant crocodiles measuring more than 20 feet were sighted in the water bodies of the park.