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Elephant Census Underway in Mettupalayam and Sirumugai Forest Regions for the Third Consecutive Day

SimpliCity News Team · 26 May 2024

Coimbatore: The ongoing elephant census in the Mettupalayam and Sirumugai forest regions, which fall under the administrative control of the Coimbatore Forest Division, has entered its third consecutive day. Forest officials, along with Central Wildlife Training Institute's assistant forest guards, have intensified their efforts in counting and tracking elephant populations in these dense forests.

The operation that began on May 23, spearheaded by Forest Ranger Joseph Stalin, sees five teams scattered across the Jaccanari, Kallar, Nelli Hills, Sundapatti Division, and Kandiyur dense forest regions. Another set of teams led by Forest Ranger Manoj in the Sirumugai section has divided into six groups covering Odanthurai, Koothamandi North, South, Pethikuttai, and Uliyur.

The census activities involve direct observation of elephant movements on the first day and on the subsequent days, analyzing signs such as dung, urine, and footprints to estimate the population.

This meticulous task of documenting elephant populations extends from water bodies, seepage ponds, to check dams within these rich biodiversity hubs.

Given the significant elephant corridors that link these forests to adjacent regions in Kerala, understanding these pathways is crucial for the conservation efforts and for reducing human-elephant conflicts. The census activities continue daily from 6 AM to 6 PM, with teams diligently documenting each sign of elephant presence in the areas.

elephant census forest wildlife conservation Mettupalayam Sirumugai

Elephant Census Underway in Mettupalayam and Sirumugai Forest Regions for the Third Consecutive Day

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