The number of muggers, an endangered crocodile species, in Ghodahada irrigation reservoir and adjoining waterbodies in Odisha’s Ganjam district has increased, much to the delight of wildlife activists and officials. The number of the crocodile species in and around the reservoir was counted at 65 in the three-day-long census that ended on Saturday. The census was conducted with the participation of around 50 persons who were divided into 20 teams.
While 44 muggers were found in the 5 sq km reservoir, 21 were counted in the nearby waterbodies, said Amlan Nayak, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of BerhampurLast year, the population of muggers in the area was at 58, which included 43 in the Ghodahada reservoir. The population of the muggers had remained stagnant in 2017 and 2016, while their number was 49 in 2015, official sources said.
Improvement in their habitat was stated to be the cause of the increase in the population, said the officer. The Mugger is one of the three crocodile species found in Odisha. The other crocodile species are gharial and salt- water crocodile or estuarine crocodile. Forest officials said no mugger was found dead in the area in the last three years. Ghodahada reservoir is considered as one of the potential habitats for the muggers in the state after Satakosia and Similipal.