India's First DNA-Based Elephant Census Reveals 18% Population Decline: A Conservation Wake-Up Call

India, which hosts over 60 percent of the world's Asian elephants, has revealed a concerning decline in its wild elephant population according to the country's first DNA-based census.

The All-India Synchronous Elephant Estimation (SAIEE) 2025 reports an estimated 22,446 wild elephants, representing an 18% decrease from the 27,312 recorded in 2017.

This groundbreaking survey, which began in 2021 and was released after nearly four years of delay, provides a population range between 18,255 and 26,645 elephants. Officials attributed the prolonged timeline to the complex genetic analysis and rigorous data validation required.

Scientists employed innovative DNA fingerprinting techniques, analyzing 21,056 dung samples collected across elephant habitats to identify individual animals. The comprehensive field effort covered approximately 670,000 kilometers of forest trails and included over 310,000 dung plots.

Regional distribution shows the Western Ghats maintaining its status as the largest elephant stronghold with 11,934 individuals, followed by the North Eastern Hills and Brahmaputra floodplains housing 6,559. The Shivalik Hills and Gangetic plains support 2,062 elephants, while Central India and the Eastern Ghats collectively host 1,891.

Karnataka leads all states with 6,013 elephants, followed by Assam (4,159), Tamil Nadu (3,136), Kerala (2,785), and Uttarakhand (1,792). Odisha supports 912 elephants, while Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand together maintain approximately 650. Northeastern states report smaller populations: Arunachal Pradesh (617), Meghalaya (677), Nagaland (252), and Tripura (153). Central and eastern regions show particularly fragmented populations, with Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra counting just 97 and 63 elephants respectively.

The SAIEE 2025 census, a collaborative effort between the Environment Ministry, Project Elephant, and the Wildlife Institute of India, establishes a new scientific baseline for future conservation initiatives.

This pioneering count implemented a three-phase methodology combining ground surveys using the M-Stripes app, satellite-based habitat mapping, and advanced genetic analysis. From the DNA samples, scientists identified 4,065 unique elephants and employed the mark-recapture statistical model to estimate the overall population.

Despite India's significant role in protecting Asian elephants, their habitats continue to face threats from encroachment, infrastructure development, and escalating human-elephant conflict.