Newly hatched baby crocs - a visual treat in Bhitarkanika

Kendrapara: Just days after Bhitarkanika National Park was thrown open for tourists following three months of ban in view of the breeding season of Estuarine Crocodiles, thousands of hatchlings loitering aimlessly before hopping into the water bodies in and around the park is a pleasant sight for visitors.

A record number of 80 nesting sites of Estuarine Crocodiles were spotted in the national park in Kendrapara district this year during the annual breeding, forest officials said.

The hatching process which started on Wednesday would continue for next six to seven days.

The national park was closed for three months from May 1 in view of breeding season of the saltwater Crocodiles. During this time Female Crocodiles lay 50 to 60 eggs and the hatchlings usually emerge from the nests after 70 to 80 days of incubation period.

The number of salt water crocodiles, the species which is not found in any other river system in Odisha, as per the latest census, stood at 1,682 in the wildlife sanctuary area present inside the national park.

The 145-sq.km Bhitarkanika National Park, with its vast expanse of mangrove cover and wetland spots, is an ideal ecotourism destination for camping, trekking and picnics.

The major attractions are its saltwater crocodiles along with resident and migrant avian species and huge varieties of mangrove species.