Kendrapada: The carcass of an 11-ft-long male saltwater crocodile, estimated to be around 10 years old, was found floating in the Hansua river near Sanaora village inside Bhitarkanika National Park on Wednesday.“Locals spotted the carcass and alerted forest officials, who retrieved it from the river,” said forest range officer Chittaranjan Beura. The left leg of the crocodile was missing leading to suspicion that it might have died following a territorial clash with another crocodile. “Saltwater crocodiles are known for violent clashes resulting in fatal injuries. Illegal fishing nets also pose a threat, as crocodiles frequently get entangled and drown,” he added.The carcass has been sent to the veterinary office in Rajnagar for a post-mortem to determine the exact cause of death. In Oct 2025, a 6-ft-long female crocodile was found dead in the Markatapur canal, while the carcass of a 4-ft-long male was found in the Kochia river in May 2025. “The unnatural death of an adult crocodile in Bhitarkanika is alarming,” said herpetologist Sudhakar Kar. Saltwater crocodiles are protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.This is the 16th unnatural crocodile death in the park in 6 years and the 38th in 14 years. Bhitarkanika, a vast mangrove and saltwater swamp, is home to 1,858 saltwater crocodiles as per the Jan 2026 census.
