The southern Indian state of Kerala has reportedly miscalculated the number of elephants in a recent census conducted in 2017. Initially, the reported count was 3,054 elephants. However, new findings indicate that the actual population of elephants is much higher, reaching up to 5,706. This discrepancy of roughly 2,700 elephants brings to light a potential issue in the counting methods used for these types of censuses.
Elephant Census Under Project Elephant
The elephant census is overseen by Project Elephant every five years. An initiative launched in 1992, Project Elephant’s primary goal is to foster the protection of elephants whilst preserving their habitats and migratory paths. It is a centrally sponsored scheme under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change which offers both financial and technical support to major elephant range states in India.
One scientist associated with Project Elephant has suggested that the method utilised to tally the elephants, known as the ‘direct count’ method, might be the reason for the discrepancy in reporting.
Direct Counting vs Indirect Counting
The direct counting method, as the name suggests, involves physically spotting and counting elephants. This method was insisted upon by Kerala in the 2017 census. However, it is prone to errors and may lead to undercounting, especially in regions with dense forests or mountainous terrains where elephants may be difficult to spot.
In contrast, the indirect counting methodology uses the elephant ‘dung decay’ formula. The process involves collecting and analysing elephant dung to estimate the overall population. As elephants are prolific defecators, this method is believed to provide more accurate estimates in comparison to direct counting.
Statistics From Various Censuses
The following table provides a comparative analysis of elephant population from different censuses conducted from 2012 to 2017.
| Year | Estimated Elephant Population |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 5,000 |
| 2017 (Initial Count) | 3,054 |
| 2017 (Revised Count) | 5,706 |
Implications of Undercounting
The potential undercounting of elephants in Kerala highlights a larger issue at play. It raises questions about the accuracy of wildlife population censuses and the potential impact it might have on conservation efforts. Miscounts can lead to miscalculations of funds allocated for conservation, misrepresentation of species’ populations which could downplay the urgency of conservation efforts, and could disrupt the balance between human-wildlife cohabitation.
It’s clear that accurate counts are vital not just for the welfare of elephants, but also for understanding the overall health of our ecosystems. Moving forward, it may be necessary to reassess counting methods or perhaps increase technological interventions to reduce human error and provide more precise estimates.
