By Manoj Kar
Bhitarkanika (Orissa): Wildlife personnel
have spotted 35 nesting sites of estuarine
crocodiles in Orissa's Bhitarkanika national
park even as reports of violent crocodiles
launching assault on humans are pouring in
from various peripheral parts of the national
park.
The crocs are found turning violent during
nesting period and human interference near
the nests invites the wrath of the reptiles.
Mother crocs constantly maintain vigil near
the nest and the reptiles retaliate and pounce
on human trespassers.
In fact, at present the national park is out
of bounds for the tourists and visitors in
view of the croc-nesting season. But the settlers
of villages very close to national park often
intrude into the croc-infested water bodies
inviting danger for themselves, according
to forest officials.
We have received two official reports of crocs
attacking the locals near the Khola and Gupti
creeks within the Bhitarkanika national park.
We are told of three other similar incidents.
But these are not confirmed. Two villagers
have sustained minor injury following croc
attack since past three days, official sources
told.
The victims were either fishing or collecting
crabs from the water-bodies within the national
park. Human activity of this nature is prohibited
within the 145 sq km park area. Thus, the
offenders injured by the crocs are not going
to be covered under compensation package
earmarked for animal attack victims.
The nesting sites were sighted by the wildlife
enumerators of the forest department along
the innumerable nullahs, creeks and water
inlets in Bhitarkanika river system, an
ideal habitat for saltwater crocodiles,
sources said.
The figure on the number of nests might
further increase as counting process of
the estuarine nests was continuing.
Last year, a total of 56 nesting sites
had been spotted. Female crocs lay around
50 to 60 eggs and the hatchlings usually
emerge from the nest after an incubation
period of 70 to 80 days.
An estimated number of 700 crocodile hatchlings
were sighted emerging from the nesting sites
last year.
The sources said due care and vigil had
been taken this time by wildlife staff on
the nesting sites so that crocodile eggs
were not devoured by predators like snakes,
wild jackals and wild dogs found abundantly
in the mangrove forest.
As per the latest census, the number of
saltwater crocodiles, which are not found
in any river system, stood at 1,540, sources
said.
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