Number of elephants in Karnataka goes up by 364 from last census, touching 6,395

Subject: Environment

Section: Species in news

Context:

The number of elephants in Karnataka has increased by 346, from an estimated 6,049 in 2017 to 6,395 now, which is the highest in the country, according to an interim report on Asian Elephant population and demography estimates– 2023.

Details:

Their population range is estimated to be between 5,914 and 6,877.
World Elephant Day is observed on August 12 to create awareness about the importance of preserving and protecting these animals that are classified as endangered species.

Synchronised census:

The census is conducted by the Karnataka Forest Department in collaboration with neighbouring Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Goa.
The number of elephants in Karnataka that had risen from 5,740 in 2010 to 6,072 in 2012 had decreased to 6,049 in 2017 then increased to 6395 in 2023.

In 23 forest divisions:

Census was taken up in 23 forest division.
The State (Karnataka) has an average elephant density of 0.34 per sq km.
Bandipur Tiger Reserve with 1,116 elephants has accounted for the highest density of 0.96 per sq km followed by Nagarahole Tiger Reserve that has 831 elephants with a density of 0.93.
BRT Tiger Reserve with 619 elephants accounts for a density of 0.69, while MM Hills Wildlife Sanctuary has a density of only 0.60 despite having 706 elephants.

Elephant numbers on the rise