 Mugger crocodiles in Goa exist in two populations one in Opa River and another in the brackish waters of Cumbarjua. A total of 20 or mor crocodiles are estimated to thrive in the Cumbarjua waters. The Crocodylus Palustris of the Cumbarjua breed is unique, as the muggers are freshwater crocodiles that have adapted to the saline mangrove eco-system- an achievement nowhere else found in India.
Stray crocodiles have been spotted at Chorao, Tivim, Siolim and Carambolim. The Syngenta freshwater lakes at Corlim have a small number of 13 crocodiles thriving. Southern Birdwing, a wildlife group closely monitors the movements of the muggers, a part of the Goa Forest Department's Wildlife Rescue Squad have been involved in the rescue of 38 crocodiles. They also take tourists 'croc-spotting' to the Cumbarjua in a boat. Though crocodiles are not hunted but around 2-3 crocodiles are spotted dead each year their lengths ranging from 1.3-2 metres. They are accidentally trapped in fishing nets and probably drowned and killed though one case of poaching has been detected at Belloy, Nuvem.
The Cumbarjua river holds many a charm- the meandering river, the whispering mangrove, the wild crocodiles, peregrine falcon or the white collard kingfisher that have drawn many to the bio-diversity that exists here.
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