There has been a marked rise in population of estuarine crocodiles along Bhitarkanika National Park's water bodies in Odisha's Kendrapara district.
The 2015 census figure of salt-water crocodiles released today put the figure at 1665 whereas the last year's number stood at 1,644.
On the other hand, crocodiles' number was counted at 1649 in 2013.
The break-up of crocs growth-wise is hatchlings- 511, yearlings- 306, juveniles- 317, sub-adults- 147, adults- 308 and 3 of above 20-feet-long, according to officials.
The croc headcount exercise went on from January 1 to 12.
Initially, foggy and overcast weather conditions had hindered the enumeration of crocs but with weather brightening up, the exercise was carried out in a smooth manner, Divisional Forest Officer, Rajnagar Mangrove (wildlife) Forest Division, Kedra Kumar Swain said.
He said 26 teams comprising crocodile experts and wildlife personnel undertook the operation during early morning hours and during the sunset.
The whole of 145 square kilo metre area of the national park besides an estimated 50 square kilo metre pockets located outside the protected forest were brought under the purview of croc headcount.
The major highlights of census findings this year is that at least three giant sized crocodiles above 20 foot long were spotted during the annual enumeration operation.
This includes the 22-foot-long crocodile, which figures in the Guinness book records as the World's largest living estuarine crocodile.
