Abstract

First record of mugger crocodile Crocodylus palustris (Lesson, 1831) from Rajaji National Park, north India, is described and illustrated. This is the first record of the order Crocodilia and genus Crocodylus for Rajaji National Park. On 8th and 9th of December 2010, two mugger crocodiles were observed basking in sandy bed of Ganges near to Bhimgora barrage (Haridwar city) on the very edge of Rajaji’s boundary adjoining to Haridwar forest division. We used ground survey method to identify new potential habitats of the animal and to examine the distribution and presence of the species from December 2010 to February 2011. Field observations indicated that the distributional range and upward movements of mugger crocodile is increasing in river Ganges. Besides, their movement range was found increasing in adjoining areas of Haridwar and in the Rajaji National Park. Still no any record is available, which confirms the presence of this crocodilian species near to Haridwar city and in Rajaji National Park and based on this evidenced study, one more reptilian species – mugger crocodile Crocodylus palustris can be added to the list of reptilian fauna of the Rajaji National Park. This new record of mugger crocodile’s presence in some pockets of Rajaji National Park, Haridwar forest division and in higher elevation of Ganges towards Rishikesh requires further investigations.

Key words: Mugger crocodile Crocodylus palustris, new record, basking behaviour, Rajaji National Park, Haridwar, conservation.