Mugger ( Crocodylus palustris ) Population in and around Vadodara City, Gujarat State, India

Abstract

Monitoring of over a two decade period (1987–2007) of mugger ( Crocodylus palustris ) population of River Vishwamitri (Gujarat State, India) indicates the present status of the species in and around Vadodara City to be the most noticeable and unique. The population found in Vishwamitri-Dhadhar River System represents a unique case study of relationship between a crocodilian species and humans. The population of muggers is growing with at the rate of 7.77 animals per year and has reached over 100. Also, mugger conflict is increasing; a total of 292 muggers were rescued from human settlements and translocated, including 38% small (under 1 m), 48% large (1 – 2 m) and 14% huge sized (over 2 m) muggers. But few of them returned to the same location in the Vishwamitri River. A total of 14 crocodile attacks were recorded, including six that were fatal. The present study provides recommendations and an action plan for the long-term mugger conservation in the area.