Asian Elephant Population and Demography Estimates, 2023

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Karnataka Minister of Forests has released an interim report on Asian Elephant Population and Demography Estimates, 2023.

Key Highlights:

• The report has been prepared after a synchronized elephant census was conducted by the Forest Department in collaboration with neighboring Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Goa.
• The number of wild elephants in Karnataka has increased to 6,395 this year from 6,049 in 2017.
• In 2010, the projected number was 5,740. It stood at 6,072 in 2012 before the dip in 2017.
• However, out of the total 6,395 elephants estimated, around 161 were within private lands like coffee estates which pose conservation challenges.
• Karnataka has an average elephant density of 0.34 per sq. km.
• Bandipur Tiger Reserve with 1,116 elephants 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.