Four male giant crocodiles measuring more than 20 feet have been spotted during a census at the Bhitarkanika National Park in Kendrapara district in eastern Indian state Odisha.
Among the crocodies was a 21-foot-long crocodile featured in the Guinness of Book of Records as the world's largest estuarine crocodile in the Mahisnsadiha inlet of the Bhitarkanika river system.
Press Trust of India (PTI) reports census takers also came across seven crocodiles measuring between 18 to 20 feet long and five albinos of 6-foot length in the sub-adult category.
Census data shows the number of crocodiles have grown by only three from 1646 to 1649 in the preceding year.
Wildlife experts said that foggy and overcast conditions have hindered proper census to be conducted in the park and the actual number of crocodiles could be higher.
"Sighting of baby and young crocs was affected due to fog that might have led to marginal increase in the census figure," the experts said.
However, it seems the estuarine crocodile population has stabilised in Bhitarkanika.
"The minimal rise in crocodile numbers is not a cause for worry," said Rajnagar Mangrove Wildlife Forest Division divisional forest officer, Manor Kumar Mahapatra.
Among the crocodies was a 21-foot-long crocodile featured in the Guinness of Book of Records as the world's largest estuarine crocodile in the Mahisnsadiha inlet of the Bhitarkanika river system.
Press Trust of India (PTI) reports census takers also came across seven crocodiles measuring between 18 to 20 feet long and five albinos of 6-foot length in the sub-adult category.
Census data shows the number of crocodiles have grown by only three from 1646 to 1649 in the preceding year.
Wildlife experts said that foggy and overcast conditions have hindered proper census to be conducted in the park and the actual number of crocodiles could be higher.
"Sighting of baby and young crocs was affected due to fog that might have led to marginal increase in the census figure," the experts said.
However, it seems the estuarine crocodile population has stabilised in Bhitarkanika.
"The minimal rise in crocodile numbers is not a cause for worry," said Rajnagar Mangrove Wildlife Forest Division divisional forest officer, Manor Kumar Mahapatra.
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