Mugger Crocodile

Prelims – Current events of national and international importance| General issues on Environmental ecology, Bio-diversity and Climate Change.

Mains (GS III) – Conservation.

Why in news?

Recently, Tamil Nadu Forest Department has conducted survey to map the population of mugger crocodiles in the state.

The mugger crocodile (Crocodylus palustris) is a medium-sized broad-snouted crocodile, also known marsh crocodile.
Scientific name – Crocodylus palustris
Distribution – India (15 states), Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Iran.
Habitat – They are primarily found in freshwater habitats like rivers, lakes and marshes.
Appearance – The Mugger crocodile has the broadest snout among living crocodiles and it has a powerful tail and webbed feet.
Key populations – Middle Ganga, Chambal River, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu's Cauvery delta
Diet – Muggers primarily eats fish, crabs, insects, small fish.
Adults consume amphibians, reptiles (snakes, turtles), birds, monkeys, deer, buffalo.
Characteristics – Crocodiles eat minimally during winters, it is only during their breeding season in summers they become opportunistic predators and use all available resources as food.
Threats – Habitat destruction, fishing equipment entanglement, illegal poaching for skin and meat and the use of body parts in medicine and human conflict.
Conservation
- IUCN – Vulnerable
- Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 – Schedule I
- CITES – Appendix I.
Tamil Nadu to set up Crocodile Conservation Centre at Anaikarai near Kollidam River.

Survey by Tamil Nadu Government

The Tamil Nadu Forest Department is conducting a study on mugger crocodiles in the Cauvery delta.
To identify critical crocodile habitats in Tamil Nadu.
To understand the crocodile-human conflict and propose long-term strategies for habitat conservation.
Preliminary study has revealed that Tamil Nadu is home to a significant population of mugger crocodiles along Kollidam River.