Wildlife census begins in Similipal

Odisha Sun Times Bureau

Baripada, Mar 11:

The annual count of wild animals at the Similipal wildlife sanctuary which began today will continue till March 16.

Animals have been grouped under two categories carnivores and herbivores- as is usually done in the annual exercise.

The animal census is in progress in all the 77 beats of the sanctuary with the help of as many as 1200 forest officials who have been divided into 302 units under four forest divisions of the Mayurbhanj district.

The tiger census which is in progress at the Narsinghpur forest has begun since March 8 and will conclude on March 13, Forest department sources said.

Around 60 Forest department officials are engaged in the counting of the big cats, the sources added.