Call to preserve jungle ‘scavengers’

Ooty: When the nation is observing Wildlife Week in the first week of October, reptilian researchers here stress on conserving crocodiles and star tortoises which are found in good numbers in the Nilgiris jungles as they act as scavengers, and thus aid in jungle conservation in their own way.

Dr P. Kannan, Assistant Prof of Zoology and Wildlife Biology at the government arts college here, and a well-known name in reptilian research, said crocodiles belong to an ancient group of reptiles. “The mugger or marsh crocodile species found in the Moyar river is an endangered species. The Moyar river is the only place in the state where the natural population of marsh crocodile live and breed.

This crocodile grows to a length of about 12 feet, and feeds on fishes, crabs and smaller mammals,” he added.Saying that this crocodile lays around 30 eggs by digging sand, he said other predators feed on the hatchlings and the eggs. “Illegal fishing in the Moyar may reduce its prey base in future and affect its survival," he noted.Mr K. Nagendiran, a noted wildlife photographer here, said the marsh crocodile mostly hunts at night and groups of them can be seen basking on the rocks along the river banks in the day.

Referring to the Indian star tortoise found in good numbers in dry scrub jungles in the eastern foothills of the Nilgiris, Dr Kannan said this attractive tortoise is exploited for the pet trade.