RESEARCH ARTICLE

PRELIMINARY REPORT OF THE STATUS OF THE MUGGER CROCODILE (Crocodylus palustris) IN NINE PROVINCES DURING THE YEARS 2015-2017 IN SRI LANKA

Abstract

Preliminary observations of the mugger crocodile (Crocodylus palustris) inhabiting in 1673 water bodies in nine provinces of the country was assessed during the period 2015 to 2017. We observed 7516 adult muggers. The highest mugger number was observed in the Eastern Province (1868), of which 379 was observed in Panama tank. Lowest count of 45 muggers was in the Western Province. The survey was not conducted from October to March each year as during this period hatchlings are heavily predated. Additionally 727 mugger burrows too were observed and assessed during the survey. Even though the highest population was observed in Eastern Province the Most number of burrows was observed in Southern province which is 38% of all burrows, and no burrows were observed in western and central provinces. Though Eastern Province had highest number of muggers (1868) we observed, but less mugger burrows when compared to Southern province.

Keywords: Crocodylus palustris,Mugger crocodile, island wide survey, burrows, water bodies, eye-shine.day count.

How to Cite: Rathnasiri,G.W.R.P,Anslem de Silva,,Mahanama,D.C,Jayasooriya,A,Priyadarshana,P, (2018). PRELIMINARY REPORT OF THE STATUS OF THE MUGGER CROCODILE (Crocodylus palustris) IN NINE PROVINCES DURING THE YEARS 2015-2017 IN SRI LANKA.WILDLANKA, 6(4):Pages 159-167

Published On:2018-12-31

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