KENDRAPADA: Around 4,500 crocodiles have been born in Bhitarkanika National Park in Kendrapada district this year, as against around 3,600 in 2017.The forest officials have sighted 101 nests in 2018, as opposed to 80 last year. " The crocodiles build their nests using twigs, leaves and mud. They make the nests on elevated ground so that they are not washed away by the rains. Direct sunlight is needed for the eggs to hatch," said Amaresh Pradhan, the forest range officer of the park.A single female typically lays a clutch of 60 to 75 eggs. These incubate for 80 to 90 days. Around 40 to 50 per cent of the eggs hatch in each cluster. Many hatchlings are eaten by water monitors, monitor lizards, fish cats, jackals, kites, big fishes and other predators. "Very few hatchings survive to adulthood," added the forest officer.Six years ago, the forest department had stopped the crocodile breeding and rearing programme in the park as the reptile population had soared alarmingly. This year, however, the department has collected 40 eggs for breeding at Dangamala. This is expected to benefit researchers and herpetologists, besides attracting tourists."Last month, we also provided 40 eggs to Nandankanan Zoological Park in the state capital. They will be hatched artificially," the forest officer said. "Out of 500 hatchlings, only one reaches adulthood," said Sudhakar Kar, a noted crocodile expert and former senior research officer of the state forest and wildlife department.The forest officials had imposed a ban on the entry of tourists in the park between May 1 and July 31 to help the crocodiles mate.

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