Kendrapara: As many as 40 saltwater crocodile eggs will be sent from the Bhitarkanika National Park in this district to the Nandankanan Zoological Park on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar.
The decision by the forest department came as part of a bid to increase the number of saltwater crocodiles at Nandankanan. Zoo officials from Nandankanan will arrive at Bhitarkanika to collect the eggs.
The Rajnagar DFO has been informed about this by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF). In a letter, the PCCF asked the DFO in Rajnagar to identify the crocodile nests damaged in the sea tides and prepare for transfer of eggs to Nandankanan.
The saltwater crocodiles reportedly laid eggs in 82 nests in Kanika range, of which two nests were spoilt due to sea tides in Kalibhanjadia area. As the female crocodile is protecting the eggs by staying close to the damaged nests, the eggs will be collected after she moves into water.
Officials said that 40 out of the eggs collected will be handed over to the Nandankanan authorities. The incubation of the remaining eggs will be done through artificial process at the crocodile research centre at Dangmal.
The female crocodiles have started laying eggs in Bhitarkanika from May during their breeding season. The process will continue till July.
