Elephant count in Karnataka up by 350

BENGALURU: The elephant population in Karnataka has seen an increase by 350 according to the latest numbers. From 6,049 in 2017, the number has increased to 6,395 as per the latest census.

The elephant census was taken up simultaneously in Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh between May 17 and 19 this year. In Karnataka, the exercise was taken up with technical guidance from Prof R Sukumaran of Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru.

About 3,400 people across 32 forest divisions in the state took part in the elephant census. The enumerators employed direct/block counting, transect survey (counting dung piles) and waterhole count methods for the exercise.