Distribution and Population Status of Marsh Crocodiles, Crocodilus Palustris In Nara Desert Wildlife Sanctuary (NDWS) Sindh, Pakistan

Abstract

This research paper aimed to study for the bio-ecological status and distribution of Marsh Crocodile population in the studied areas of Nara Desert Wildlife Sanctuary (NDWS) and its adjoining areas. There are 23 living species of order Crocodilia in the world; the Marsh Crocodile, Crocodylus palustris is the only species that has been recorded in Sindh Pakistan among the Crocodilian species, occurring in Nara Desert Wildlife Sanctuary (NDWS) Sindh, Pakistan. Present investigation was carried out at NDWS during the year of 2006 to 2009, in order to determine the ecological status of Marsh Crocodiles. The observation revealed that the total number of Marsh crocodiles were 326 in the studied areas of NDWS among them 184 were adult Crocodile, 91 were juveniles and 51 were hatchlings. The population of Marsh Crocodiles are facing the major threats of habitat destruction, hunting, Shortage of water, change of Water quality and other anthropogenic activities.