A crocodile is seen on the banks of Brahmani river inside the Bhitarkanika national park in Odisha. File.
| Photo Credit: Biswaranajan Rout
Odisha’s estuarine crocodile population has increased by 32, reaching 1,858, after State Forest and Environment Department introduced a pilot drone-based survey this year.
The annual estimation of saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) was conducted from January 8 to 10, 2026, across river systems in and around Bhitarkanika National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, Gahirmatha Wildlife Sanctuary, the Mahanadi deltaic area, and the Devi river mouth area.
Odisha has India’s largest population of saltwater crocodile in natural habitat.
According to the office of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife), a total of 1858 crocodiles were counted, comprising 531 hatchlings (28.58%), 442 yearlings (23.79%), 365 juveniles (19.64%), 167 sub-adults (8.99%) and 353 adults (19%).
“Out of the total crocodiles counted, a maximum of 1,424 (76.64%) were spotted in Kanika Wildlife Range, which includes forest blocks and rivers starting from Khola to Bhitarkanika-Pathasala confluence,” the department said.
“As many as 292 (15.72%) crocodiles were recorded in Rajnagar wildlife range. In Mahanadi delta of Mahakalpada Range 99 (5.33 %) crocodiles were recorded, and in Gahirmatha wildlife range a total of 43 (2.31%) crocodiles were counted. Survey results indicate that there is increase of 32 crocodiles in comparison to January-2025 estimation results (1858 crocodiles),” the department said.
A total of 24 census teams were deployed to count crocodiles across 54 segments. Population estimation was warried out by collection of data through individual counts, using boat-based surveys conducted during both daytime and nighttime.
“Crocodiles measuring more than 6 feet were categorised as sub adults and adults, counted during the day. Hatchlings (< 2 ft), yearlings (2 to 3ft) and juveniles (3 to 6 ft) were primarily counted at night using powerful spotlights.
P.K. Jha, PCCF (Wildlife) said a pilot drone-based survey was conducted in December to assess the use of drones for crocodile estimation. “Key survey parameters such as flight height, timing, transect design, rate of detection, and animal response were recorded to facilitate standardisation of drone-based survey protocols,” he said.
“As a future strategy, drones and cameras will be used in selected river segments to identify and profile individual crocodiles based on distinctive morphological features. This approach will supplement existing population data, reduce observer bias, and strengthen the spatial database on crocodile distribution and abundance,” Mr. Jha said.
Published – January 20, 2026 01:15 am IST
