Bhubaneswar: A team comprising scientists, biologists and experts from the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) will soon visit the state on the Odisha govt’s request to re-assess the DNA-based synchronised elephant count that put the number at 912 last year, far less than the state’s own census conducted in Nov 2024.The state’s November count pegged the total pachyderm number at 2,103. The team will have a re-look at the rationale behind the DNA-based output that mainly relied on dung analysis. Odisha, on its part, adopted the direct sighting method for the jumbo count.“The WII scientists and maybe some functionaries from MoEFCC may come to Odisha for discussion and to have a re-look at the method WII adopted to arrive at the state’s elephant number. Earlier, we shared details of our census, including photographic evidence and habitat description,” said wildlife PCCF Prem Kumar Jha.The team’s visit followed the state govt’s Oct letter to MoEFCC disputing the census and a subsequent meeting and correspondence with the wildlife wing of the state.The letter said the state expressed strong reservations regarding the elephant count that put the number at 912. “We request a team of scientists/experts/observers be deputed from WII for a reassessment of the elephant census,” the govt letter to MoEFCC read.The govt made it clear that in 2017 there were 1,976 elephants in Odisha habitat. In the 2024 summer census, the count was 2,098, and in Nov, it rose to 2,103, as counted by the wildlife wing.“Unlike tigers, which are elusive and solitary animals, mega herbivores like elephants are easily visible, and hence, the direct sighting method was used to count them for accurate results in the most cost-effective manner. But the DNA method is more complex and involves high cost. Therefore, we request the WII to re-look at the census, including the methodology used,” the govt letter said.
