Kerala Forest and Wildlife Department released ‘Elephant Population Estimation in Kerala – 2024’

Posted 20 Jul 2024

2 min read

Report is part of a synchronized elephant population estimation in the Southern States (Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu).

Such synchronized exercise is mandated by an Interstate Coordination Committee (ICC) Charter established by the three Southern States in response to rising Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC).

Key Highlights

Elephant population in Kerala decreased to 1793 elephants from 1920 elephants in May 2023.
High death rate (40%) among Juvenile elephants (aged 10 and below) attributed to the Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesviruses (EEHVs).
For mitigating HEC, it recommends conducting socio-ecological studies on behaviour of crop raiding animals and a permanent system to assess and monitor HEC.

It is one of three subspecies of Asian elephants, the other two being the Sumatran and Sri Lankan elephants.
India is home to over 60% of the world's elephant population with the highest population in Karnataka, followed by Assam and Kerala.
Characteristics
- Life span: 60-70 years.
- Gestation period: 20-22 months.
- Reproduction: A female starts calving at 18-20 years.
- Leader of an elephant group: Female.
Threats: Habitat Fragmentation and degradation due to human settlements, expansion of agriculture and industry, human-elephant conflict, poaching, etc.
Conservation Status
- Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I
- IUCN status: Endangered
- CITES: Appendix I

Maintain Ecological Balance: By limiting growth of vegetation, facilitating seed germination, dispersal of plant seeds etc.
Improves Soil Fertility by helping in nutrient recycling and maintain grasslands.
Keystone species: Positively influence growth of numerous plant and animal species.

Project Elephant: Launched in 1992 to protect elephants, their habitat & corridors.
Mitigate HEC: Electric fences, early warning systems, and beehive fences, etc.
33 Elephant Reserves in 14 major Elephant states.