Pattamundai, Jan 12: Today a one-day bird census was conducted at the Bhitarkanika National Park. The counting process was held at Kujanga, Mahakalapada, Gahiramatha, Kanika and Rajnagar ranges of the Wildlife Sanctuary. Rajnagar divisional forest officer said that the detailed list of birds found at the National reserve parks during the counting will be announced by today evening.
On the other hand, the number of saltwater crocodile at the reserve park has increased this year. The annual enumeration, has put the head-count at 1,682. Around 11 more crocodiles have been added this year as compared to last years count of 1,671. The Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary which is a home to the largest population of estuarine crocodiles, had conducted the census operation from Jan 2 to 8 in the creeks, rivers and water bodies located across the four ranges which include Kanika, Rajnagar, Mahakalpada and Gahirmatha. At the Kanika range, the census team sighted around 1,303 crocodiles.
