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.

References

1. The Hindu| Tamil Nadu Surveys Mugger Crocodile
2. World Wildlife Institute of India| Marsh Crocodile