Kendrapara: The Bhitarkanika National Park here has re-established itself as the country's lone habitation corridor for albino estuarine crocodiles, according to the findings of the latest headcount of the reptiles.

Wildlife enumerators spotted 12 rare white crocodiles in the brackish water bodies and water-inlets along the wetlands of Bhitarkanika. Last year, they had spotted 10 such species along the creeks and water-inlets of the national park.

"There are large habitats for saltwater crocodiles in the Sundarbans in Bengal and large mangrove wetlands in the Andaman Islands, but those cannot match the density and population of crocodiles available in the wild habitats of Bhitarkanika. Albino estuarine species are not found in those mangrove wetland sites," said crocodile researcher Sudhakar Kar.

"Four decades ago, when the Government of India and the United Nations Development Programme thought of saving crocodiles, there were hardly three to four nests in the area while the population of saltwater crocodiles in Bhitarkanika area was estimated to be 95, including 34 adults. Now, according to the latest census report, the population has swollen to 1,698.

The crocodile conservation programme was launched in 1975 with just two white crocodiles being counted at Bhitarkanika, he said.

Of the 12 white species sighted, two male crocodiles measuring 14ft were spotted at Khola creek and Dhamra creek.

"Albino species were sighted in past years as well. However, we are apprehensive about their mortality rate. Since their re-sightings, we believe that the brackish water bodies of the national park are a favourable habitation corridor for the species. The typical complexion of these reptiles is mainly due to the genetic pigment malformation and mutant variation," Kar added.