In news- Odisha’s Kendrapara is the only district in India to be home to all three species of crocodilians found in the country.
- This has been declared after forest officials found a baby gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) in the Paika river of the Bhitarkanika National Park, located in the district.
- The National Park is also the home of saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus).
- In October, 2016, the forest department had rescued a live 12-foot-long mugger (Crocodylus palustris) from a fishing net in the Luna river.
- The gharial and saltwater crocodile conservation programme was first implemented in Odisha in early 1975 and subsequently, the mugger conservation programme was initiated.
- In 1975, the Union ministry of forest and environment, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme, had started a crocodile breeding and rearing project in Dangamala within the Bhitarkanika.
Types of crocodiles in India-
- It is found in clear freshwater river systems, congregating at river bends where the water is deeper.
- Also called as gavials, they are a type of Asian crocodilian distinguished by their long, thin snouts.
- They congregate to mate and make nests during the dry season, when females lay eggs in sandbanks along slow-moving sections of water.
- These animals do not stalk and lunge at prey like other crocodilians.
- Their snouts contain sensory cells that can detect vibrations in the water.
- It is found mostly in Himalayan rivers.
- IUCN status: Critically Endangered
- It is the earth’s largest living Crocodilian.
- It inhabits coastal brackish mangrove swamps and river deltas.
- The saltwater crocodile has a wide snout compared to most crocodiles.
- IUCN Status: Least Concern
- The mugger crocodile is also called marsh crocodile, a broad-snouted crocodile.
- It is principally restricted to the Indian subcontinent where it may be found in a number of freshwater habitat types including rivers, lakes and marshes.
- Females dig holes in the sand as nesting sites and lay up to 46 eggs during the dry season.
- Sex of hatchlings depends on temperature during incubation.
- Its visual, hearing and smelling senses are acute.
- IUCN status: Vulnerable
June 17 is celebrated as World Crocodile day. It is a global awareness campaign to highlight the plight of endangered crocodiles and alligators around the world.