Wildlife officials start elephant census in northeastern India

Wildlife officials in India's northeastern state of Assam on Saturday started an elephant census in its forests.

"In view of the elephant population estimation 2017 in Kaziranga national park, the elephant ride for visitors in all the ranges shall remain closed on March 25 and March 26," R B Saikia, a senior official at Assam Wildlife division said.

"Jeep safari shall also remain closed on two days," the official said.

Kaziranga national park is located within Nagaon and Golaghat districts in Assam and spread over an area of 378 square kilometres.

Officials said the elephant headcount was being held in all 39 forest divisions of the state and forest divisions have been divided into 974 compartments to conduct the census smoothly.

"Forest department officials, members from non-governmental organizations, volunteers and wildlife experts have been engaged in the elephant population count," an official associated with the census said.

The last elephant census in the state which was held in Assam in 2011 put the elephant population in Assam at 5,620.

Results of the new census is likely to be made public next week, officials said.

source: Xinhua