Second elephant census begins in Keonjhar, OUAT students take part in headcount process

The second elephant census of the year has commenced in the Keonjhar Forest Division. A total of 82 teams comprising of 246 forest staff have been deployed across seven ranges for the headcount process.

According to sources, each team includes a team leader and a minimum of two staff members dedicated to the task of counting elephants. The census is being carried out using advanced tools like binoculars, cameras, and thermal drones to enhance accuracy and efficiency.

Sharing details about the census, Keonjhar DFO HD Dhanraj, said, "We have formed 82 teams, comprising 246 forest personnel, who have been deployed across seven forest ranges in the region for the survey. The census also involves experts, including GIS professionals, biologists, and range officers."

Five final-year students from the Odisha University of Agriculture & Technology (OUAT) are also part of the census activity for the first time in the census.

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"It was a great opportunity for us to take part in the elephant census. We went for two days for the census and monitored elephants using thermal drones," said Tejaswini Sahu, OUAT student.

She further added, “It will help us in the future in managing human-animal conflict.”

According to DFO Dhanraj, the present estimate puts the population of elephants in the Keonjhar forests at around 170 to 180. This count is crucial for the surveillance on the population and health of the elephant herd, which adds to the current conservation endeavors in the area.

Earlier in November, Odisha Forest Minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia expressed concern over the deaths of approximately 50 elephants this year and has ordered a detailed inquiry into the unnatural deaths of elephants in the state.

Also Read: Odisha reports 50 unnatural elephant deaths in 2024, Forest Minister orders probe