Chitwan : One hundred thirty seven crocodiles, raised at Crocodile Breeding Centre of Chitwan National Park, have been released in their natural habitat.

With the releasing of 20 crocodiles in Rapti river on Monday last time, the number of crocodile released in Rapti river has reached 137 so far in the current fiscal year.

All the crocodiles were released in Rapti river, said Information Officer of CNP, Abinash Thapa. All 137 crocodiles released in Rapti river are female, he added. Crocodiles raised in the breeding centre are released in natural habitat.

A total of 2,207 crocodiles brought up in the breeding centre have been released in rivers so far, mentioned Thapa. There are now 630 crocodiles in the breeding centre.