Odisha’s estuarine crocodile population has increased by 32, now totaling 1,858. The State Forest and Environment Department conducted the annual count from January 8 to 10, 2026. They surveyed river systems around Bhitarkanika National Park, Gahirmatha Wildlife Sanctuary, the Mahanadi delta, and Devi river mouth. Odisha hosts India’s largest natural population of saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus). According to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife), the total counted included 531 hatchlings, 442 yearlings, 365 juveniles, 167 sub-adults, and 353 adults. The Kanika Wildlife Range had the highest count with 1,424 crocodiles, followed by Rajnagar wildlife range with 292. Mahanadi delta’s Mahakalpada Range recorded 99, and Gahirmatha had 43. The 1,858 count shows an increase of 32 crocodiles compared to January 2025. To cover all areas, 24 census teams worked across 54 segments using boat surveys in day and night shifts. Larger crocodiles over 6 feet were counted during the day, while smaller ones were spotted at night with strong spotlights. P.K. Jha, PCCF (Wildlife), said a new pilot drone survey was done in December to explore using drones for such counts. "Key survey parameters such as flight height, timing, transect design, rate of detection, and animal response were recorded to facilitate standardisation of drone-based survey protocols," he explained. He added, "In future, drones and cameras will help identify individual crocodiles by unique features. This will improve data, reduce errors, and expand knowledge on crocodile distribution and numbers."