In the forests of Odisha, Similipal National Park stretches across hills, rivers, and valleys, home to tigers, elephants, and countless species of birds. However, in the twisting rivers and pools of the park, an ancient creature is silently making a comeback — the mugger crocodile.

For many years, their numbers in the park had declined, spreading concern among forest officials and conservationists. But the latest census, carried out in early January 2026, recorded 84 crocodiles, up from 81 the previous year. While this increase might seem small, it is an important sign that conservation efforts are beginning to bear fruit.

This rise comes after two years of decline, when the population had dropped from 86 in 2023 to 81 in 2025. The increase shows that these prehistoric reptiles are slowly reclaiming their place in the park’s waterways.

The census itself was a detailed process, conducted over three........

© The Better India