A 10-year-old boy was allegedly killed recently following an attack by a crocodile sparking fresh bouts of man-animal conflict in areas in the close vicinity of Bhitarkanika National Park.

About Bhitarkanika National Park:

• Location: It is located in Kendrapara district in the state of Odisha.
• It is India’s second-largest mangrove ecosystem after the Sunderbans. 
• It is a 145 Sq. km large national park which was designated on 16th September 1998 and obtained the status of a Ramsar site in August 2002,e., the second Ramsar site of the State after the Chilika Lake. 
• This National Park is a network of creeks and canals which are inundated with waters from rivers Brahmani, Baitarani, Dhamra and Patasala, forming a unique ecosystem.
• Flora: Mangrove species, casuarinas, and grasses like the indigo bush.
• Fauna:
  • Bhitarkanika has one of the largest populations of endangered saltwater crocodiles in India.
  • The Gahirmatha Beach, which forms the boundary of the park in the east, is the largest colony of the Olive Ridley Sea Turtles.
  • Other mammals include monkeys, jackals, common langurs, otter, sambar deer, jungle cats, fox, Mongoose, wolfs, fishing cats, hyenas, etc.

Key facts about Saltwater crocodile:

• Saltwater crocodiles, or estuarine crocodiles, are enormous creatures and the world’s largest living reptiles.
• Scientific name: Crocodylus porosus
• Distribution: It inhabits brackish waters of wetlands and marine intertidal environments from Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar east to the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu and south to Australia’s northern coast.
• Features:
  • The average male is 5m in length and weighs around 500kg, while females are significantly smaller.
  • They are nocturnal hunters.
  • The species is known for its aggressive nature, as shown by numerous attacks on people and livestock each year.
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN: Least Concern