Bhubaneswar, July 3 (PTI) Elephant population in Odisha increased marginally to 1,976 this year from 1,954 recorded in 2015 despite death of jumbos due to various reasons during the period. Releasing the 2017 elephant census report here, Forest and Environment Minister Bijayshree Routray said the number of pachyderms increased by 22 in the state as compared to the census conducted in 2015. Similarly, five other sanctuaries have an elephant population of 79, while there were 361 elephants outside different elephant reserves and sanctuaries, Routray said. Out of the total jumbo population, 344 were identified as tuskers, while 1,092 were females and 502 were young elephants or calves. Experts were of the opinion that rise in jumbo population was significant as increase in their number took place despite death due to many reasons like mishap, electrocution and poaching.

Source: India Today July 03, 2017 12:33 UTC