Crocodile: Conservation and Threats

Introduction Crocodiles are large semiaquatic reptiles that live throughout the tropics in Africa, Asia, the Americas and Australia. There are a total of 23 known crocodile species, of which 7 are currently listed as Critically Endangered, 4 as Vulnerable, 12 as Least Risk as per the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (Martin, 2008). The 3 crocodiles of India, Saltwater Crocodile, Mugger Crocodile and Gharial, are listed as Least Concern, Vulnerable and Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. In January 2020, the crocodile census was held in Bhitarkanika National Park of Orisha, and its nearby areas in Kendrapara district. 22 teams to count the crocodiles in all the creeks and rivers within the park and its nearby areas were formed by the officials and 1,757 crocodiles were found. This was slightly more than last year’s count which was 1,742 crocodiles. During the census, 620 hatchlings, 325 yearlings, 288 juveniles, 185 sub-adult, and 339 adult crocodiles were found. The enumerators also sighted around 12 albino crocodiles and four giant crocodiles more than 20 feet long in the water bodies