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Hundreds of Crocodile Hatchlings Emerge at Odisha’s Bhitarkanika Park
Hundreds of baby saltwater crocodiles are hatching in Odisha’s Bhitarkanika National Park.
They come out of eggs buried in nests made from leaves, twigs, and mud.
The eggs take about 70 to 80 days to hatch.
The babies then move from the nesting areas toward creeks and other water bodies.
Their mothers do not accompany them after they hatch.
Most young crocodiles do not survive because predators may eat them.
Only about one in 100 hatchlings is expected to become an adult.
Conservation work has helped the park’s crocodile population grow greatly since 1975.
Hundreds of saltwater crocodile hatchlings have begun emerging from 117 nests in Bhitarkanika National Park.
The hatchlings emerged after about 70–80 days of incubation and are moving toward nearby creeks and water bodies.
The emergence began three days before September 6 and is expected to continue for nearly two weeks.
Bhitarkanika’s crocodile population has increased from 96 in 1975 to 1,858, representing nearly 70% of India’s estuarine crocodiles.
Tourists were barred during nesting season, while officials kept their distance to reduce disturbance and protect the reptiles.
- Who
- Hundreds of saltwater crocodile hatchlings, forest officials, and crocodile researcher Sudhakar Kar.
- What
- Saltwater crocodile hatchlings are emerging from nests and moving toward waterways.
- Where
- Bhitarkanika National Park in Kendrapara district, Odisha, India.
- When
- The emergence began three days before September 6 and is expected to continue for nearly a fortnight.
- Why
- The hatchlings are emerging after 70–80 days of incubation during a successful breeding season protected from disturbance.
Key facts
- Nesting sites identified
- 117
- Egg incubation period
- About 70–80 days
- Typical eggs per female
- 50–60
- Crocodile population
- 1,858, up from 96 in 1975
- Share of India’s estuarine crocodiles
- Nearly 70%
- Estimated survival rate
- About one in 100 hatchlings reaches adulthood
- Tourist restriction
- The park was closed to tourists from May 31 to July 31
Quotes
Sudhakar Kar
Crocodile researcher
“Hardly one in every 100 hatchlings grows into an adult”
theprint.in
Sources
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