Two new species spotted in Odisha’s Chilika Lake

Bhubaneswar: In the latest survey conducted at Chilika Lake, two new species have been spotted – the threatened ferruginous duck and Eurasian otter.

Also, two uncommon species including the red-necked stint and the wooly-necked stork were spotted near Parikud and Mangalajodi areas of the lagoon.

Near the Rambha Bay area of the Chilika Lake, Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon, 156 dolphins were sighted.

“For the first time, near-threatened ferruginous ducks and a group of Eurasian otters were spotted in the lagoon during the 2022 Flora and Fauna Survey in Chilika Lake…,” an official of the Chilika Development Authority (CDA) was quoted as saying.

He added that the lake has re-established itself as “one of the hotspots of biodiversity and shelters for endangered species”.

Dolphins are now colonising in new areas as the lake has about 155-165 dolphins and 10.5 lakh water birds of 105 different species, PTI reported.

According to the report, 1,000 near-threatened ferruginous ducks were sighted for the first time in the lagoon during the survey, besides 2,000 greater flamingos at Nalabana.

“The findings are favourable, since the water bird census conducted by the Chilika Wildlife Division during the first week of January, had put the number at 10,36,220 of 103 species,” it also said.

A total of 2,86,929 birds of 75 species were spotted at the Nalabana sanctuary alone during the one-day survey.