15 ODISHA, INDIA, 2021. The annual census of Estuarine crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) was conducted in the river systems of Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary/National Park and the Mahanadi deltai region between 15 January and 21 January 2021. Twenty-fve census units were engaged to count the crocodile population in 52 segments within the identifed rivers and creeks. Surveys were carried out during the day and night (Fig. 1). Crocodiles in sub-adult and adult size classes (ie >6’) were counted during the day, and hatchlings and juveniles (<2’ to 6’) were primarily counted at night using spotlights. Figure 1. Counts of crocodiles in narrow creeks has been conducted using small rowing boats since 1976. Weather conditions (eg clear sunny days, low day and night temperatures, tides) were considered favourable, and 1768 crocodiles were counted: 593 hatchlings (33.5%); 367 yearlings (20.8%); 320 juveniles (18.1%); 152 sub-adults (8.6%); and, 336 adults (19.0%). There were 63 crocodiles estimated to be more than 16’ (4.9 m) long (31 x 14-16’, 22 x 16-18’, 6 x 18-20’, 4 x >20’) (Figs. 2 and 3). Figure 2. Large [>18’ (5.5 m)] male C. porosus basking. Most (N= 1404) crocodiles were sighted in Kanika Wildlife Range, which includes forest blocks and rivers starting from Khola to the Bhitarkanika-Pathasala confuence and beyond in Bramhani-Baitarani River systems, followed by 256 sightings in Rajnagar WL Range. Within the Mahanadi delta, 76 crocodiles were counted in Mahakalapada Wildlife Range, and 32 crocodiles in Gahirmatha Wildlife Range. The 2021 survey result was slightly higher than that reported in January 2020 (1757 crocodiles). Bhitarkanika WS/NP holds the largest wild C. porosus population in all regional range states, and represents over 75% of the total Indian C. porosus population. Figure 3. Large [~16’ (4.9 m)] male C. porosus at water’s edge. Sudhakar Kar, “Subhadra Nibas”, Sampur, Bhubaneswar - 751003, Odisha, India (kar.sudhakar@gmail.com). GHARIAL ECOLOGY PROJECT - UPDATE 2019-2021. The Gharial Ecology Project (GEP) is now in its 14th feld season, since its initiation in 2008 following the mass die-off of Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) in the winter of 2007-2008. Our research, supported by the international zoo community and private donations, is sanctioned under the NGO umbrella of the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust (MCBT). The GEP programs are facilitated by the State Forest Departments of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, as well as the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India. The GEP is the present day avatar of the Gharial Conservation Alliance, and our media presence has increased through an active Facebook page, YouTube Channel, and soon to be inaugurated new website, now under construction. What follows is a brief summary of recent activities, updating Lang et al. (2016, 2018). The GEP has three main goals: 1) to develop a comprehensive assessment of Gharials in the National Chambal Sanctuary (NCS); 2) to identify and protect the species’ critical riverine habitats; and, 3) to reduce threats and challenges to the species’ continued survival. Gharials are Critically Endangered, with an estimated 650-700 mature adults globally (550+ of which are resident in NCS). Project activities are conducted by a small core staff (3-4) of Indian biologists/naturalists, with inputs from its Senior Scientifc Advisor, Professor Jeff Lang. Covid constraints. With the onset of pandemic restrictions in early 2020 on international travel, Prof. Lang’s seasonal visits to the Chambal, usually three trips per year, were initially delayed, and then cancelled. From mid-March onward, he has stayed in touch with the feld team via frequent phone and internet contacts. The GEP feld crew, consisting of Jailabdeen A, Pankaj K., Anand K. and “Guddhu” K., plus Ashutosh T., have observed in-country lockdowns and precautions, worn masks, practiced social distancing, riding individually on motorbikes, and related precautions. Despite travel limitations, surveys have been possible for total population counts in the winter months, and for post-hatching nest/