Bhubaneswar, Sept. 11 -- The bird census in the Bhitarkanika National Park under Rajnagar Wildlife Division in Odisha's Kendrapada district has kicked off.

As many as three teams comprising four to five forest officials, ornithologists, wildlife experts each have been deployed in the census in five ranges of the national park.

The head counting exercise is scheduled to continue till September 12.

At present however, the census activity has been affected due to the heavy rain inflicted by the low pressure system in Bay of Bengal.

As per the census team, the enumeration drive will continue for two to three days more.

The census will be carried out at Laxmi Prasad, Durga Prasad and Mathaadia areas of Bhitarakanika.

The number of local ...