Odisha home to 2,103 wild elephants: Minister

Bhubaneswar, Sept 23 (UNI) Odisha is home to 2,103 wild elephants, according to the findings of a wildlife census carried out by the Forest Department in November 2024, Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister Ganesh Ram Singhkhuntia informed the State Assembly today.

Replying to a question of BJD legislator Ranendra Pratap Swain, the Minister said the census was conducted across multiple forest divisions, confirming the extensive presence of elephants in both northern and central Odisha.
He noted that the updated data is vital for shaping future conservation strategies and tackling the growing challenge of human-elephant conflict in several districts.

Providing details on domesticated elephants, Singhkhuntia informed that 21 elephants are in captivity across different divisions.

The Chandaka Wildlife Division,he said houses eight elephants, Simlipal South Wildlife Division has three, Nandankanan Zoological Park shelters four, and the Dhenkanal Wildlife Division maintains six.
On wild elephant distribution, under Athagarh Forest Division, Singhkhuntia said Athagarh Wildlife Division has 20 elephants, Badamba Wildlife Division 26, Khuntuni one, and the Narasinghapur (eastern region) 25