CHITWAN: At least 137 crocodiles raised at the Crocodile Breeding Center of Chitwan National Park have been released into their natural habitat in the current fiscal year.

With the release of 20 crocodiles on Monday, all of which were female, the total number released this year reached 137.

According to the park’s Information Officer, Abhinash Thapa Magar, the crocodiles were released into the Rapti River as part of a regular conservation program.

Magar further added that crocodiles are raised at the center from eggs collected along riverbanks and from hatchlings born to crocodiles kept at the facility before being released into the wild.

To date, 2,207 crocodiles have been released from the center, while 630 crocodiles are currently being raised there.