Crocodile lays eggs without mating

KENDRAPARA (Orissa): The country's only captive white crocodile, who had become an enigma for shunning mating habits, has now laid eggs and that too, without mating.

Living in isolation and detached from any male crocodile, the 33-year-old Gori has laid about 30 eggs in the captivity of a pen in the crocodile research farm of Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary here.

The eggs, however, lacked fertility contents and potency for procreation, said officials adding that besides Gori, another captive female crocodile also laid 'infertile' eggs last week.

"Laying of eggs by isolated reptiles is a rare occurrence. The eggs have now been preserved for research work," said officials.

Gori, acclaimed as the country's lone captive white crocodile, is famous for its typical behavioural instinct.

In isolation since its birth in the sanctuary since 1975, the animal had avoided mating despite several attempts from forest personnel. The animal had even attacked a male crocodile that had been released into the pen for mating.

The enigmatic Gori has been keeping bad health since the past few years.