Tamil Nadu information 3,170 elephants in newest synchronised survey

The newest synchronised elephant inhabitants estimation train has revealed Tamil Nadu is residence to three,170 wild elephants, a rise of 107 people from the 2024 rely of three,063.

The estimate was derived via a three-day synchronised survey carried out in May 2025 throughout all 5 elephant reserves in Tamil Nadu, masking 8,989.63 sq.km. of efficient elephant habitats.

The estimation train was carried out throughout 26 forest divisions. According to the State Forest Department, the general elephant density was 0.35 elephants per sq.km. as per the direct Block Count technique, and 0.37 elephants per sq.km. utilizing the Line Transect Dung Count technique. 

Methodology

The Block Count technique, a direct remark strategy, entails dividing elephant habitats into small sampling blocks (every about 5 sq.km.) and deploying forest groups to file all elephant sightings inside these blocks over a hard and fast interval. This helps decide inhabitants dimension and age–intercourse composition based mostly on precise sightings. 

The Line Transect Dung Count technique, however, is an oblique approach used to estimate elephant density in areas the place direct sightings are troublesome. Survey groups stroll alongside fastened transect traces, counting dung piles and measuring their distance from the road. Using specialised software program, dung density is transformed into elephant density by factoring in dung decay and defecation charges. 

Highest sightings

A complete of 681 blocks have been sampled throughout the State. The survey concerned over 2,000 forest personnel, together with guards, watchers, and anti-poaching watchers. The highest variety of elephants have been sighted within the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, the place 162 elephants have been counted in 24 blocks spanning 241 sq.km., accounting for almost 50% of the division’s elephant habitat. 

Other divisions with important sightings included Gudalur (102 elephants), Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve (94 elephants), Anamalai Tiger Reserve–Pollachi Division (107 elephants), Erode (74 elephants), and Coimbatore (72 elephants).

The Nilgiri Elephant Reserve, a part of the bigger Nilgiri Eastern Ghats panorama, recorded the best elephant inhabitants and density, with an estimated 2,419 elephants (0.53 elephants per sq km) underneath the block rely technique, and three,163 elephants (0.70 per sq km) underneath the dung rely technique. 

Together, the Nilgiri and Coimbatore reserves help almost 70–80% of Tamil Nadu’s wild elephants, forming a part of a contiguous inhabitants shared with neighbouring Karnataka and Kerala.

Other facets assessed

In addition to inhabitants estimation, the survey assessed demographic patterns via waterhole counts, which revealed that adults constituted 44% of the full inhabitants, adopted by sub-adults (31%), juveniles (11%), and calves (14%). The intercourse ratio was recorded at 1:1.77 (male to feminine), whereas the grownup female-to-calf ratio was 1:0.50. Average herd sizes ranged between three and sixteen elephants.

Forest officers mentioned the findings point out a secure and wholesome elephant inhabitants construction, per earlier surveys carried out in 2002, 2010, 2017, 2023, and 2024.

However, the report highlighted the necessity for refining future estimates by incorporating division-specific dung decay charges, as using a single decay worth throughout the State might result in minor discrepancies between direct and oblique rely strategies. The report additionally famous that conducting the survey in late April, forward of the early monsoon onset within the Western Ghats, might produce higher outcomes than holding it on the finish of May.