The carcass of a seven-feet-long female saltwater crocodile, aged around 10 years, was discovered in the Hansua river near Gopalpur village within Bhitarkanika National Park on Monday. The carcass was found floating in the river, spotted by locals who promptly alerted forest authorities.
Forest range officer of Bhitarkanika, Chittaranjan Beura, stated, "After receiving the information, a team of forest officials retrieved the carcass." He added, "Once we get the autopsy report, we will know the exact reason behind its death."
Herpetologist and former wildlife researcher Sudhakar Kar expressed concern, saying, "The unnatural death of an adult crocodile in Bhitarkanika and its nearby areas is alarming. Saltwater crocodiles are covered under Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972."
Fishing is banned in the water bodies of the park, but some fishermen engage in illegal fishing in the rivers and creeks. This illegal activity is leading to the death of crocodiles in Bhitarkanika, as the reptiles die from entanglement in fishing nets, causing asphyxiation or drowning when they cannot surface.
This incident is not isolated. On April 15, the carcass of an 11-feet-long male saltwater crocodile was found in the Hansua river near Sanaora village within the park. On October 7 last year, a six-feet-long female saltwater crocodile was discovered in the Markatapur canal. Additionally, on May 13 last year, the carcass of a four-feet-long male saltwater crocodile was found in the Kochia river near Silapokhari village within the park.
According to environmentalist Hemant Rout, secretary of Gahirmatha Marine Turtles and Mangrove Conservation Society in Kendrapada, "Bhitarkanika, a vast tract of forest and saltwater swamp, is home to 1,858 saltwater crocodiles as per the reptile census report of January 2026."
The discovery of the seven-feet-long female saltwater crocodile underscores ongoing threats to wildlife in the region, highlighting the need for stricter enforcement of fishing bans and enhanced conservation efforts.
