Archive · 7 Jan 2026
Bhitarkanika Park Closed for Crocodile Census
Bhitarkanika National Park in Odisha, India, is closing for three days so that people can count all the saltwater crocodiles that live there.
This park has a lot of these crocodiles—about 70% of all the saltwater crocodiles in India.
Twenty-two teams will use quiet boats to count the crocodiles in the rivers, wetlands, and forests without making too much noise.
The last count in 2025 found 1,826 crocodiles.
People have been protecting these crocodiles since 1975.
Bhitarkanika National Park in Odisha will close for three days starting Thursday for the annual crocodile census.
Twenty-two teams, including forest officials, researchers, and local volunteers, will count the estuarine crocodiles.
The park is home to 70% of India's estuarine crocodiles, with a population of 1,826 as of the 2025 census.
Soundless boats will be used to minimize noise pollution during the census.
Conservation efforts for these crocodiles began in 1975.
- Who
- Forest officials, wildlife researchers, and local volunteers
- What
- Annual crocodile census
- When
- Three days from Thursday (January 7)
- Where
- Bhitarkanika National Park, Kendrapara, Odisha
- Why
- To count the estuarine crocodile population
- Park Name
- Bhitarkanika National Park
- Location
- Kendrapara, Odisha
- Census Duration
- 3 days
- Crocodile Population
- 1,826
- Crocodile Type
- Estuarine (saltwater) crocodiles
- Conservation Start Year
- 1975
- Teams Involved
- 22
- Percentage of India's Crocodiles
- 70%