A recent, first-of-its-kind DNA-based census in India has revealed an estimated wild elephant population of 22,446. This figure marks a significant drop from the 27,312 elephants counted in 2017, representing an 18% decline in numbers.
The All-India Synchronous Elephant Estimation (SAIEE) 2025, a monumental undertaking, concluded that India’s elephant population fluctuates between 18,255 and 26,645, with the average resting at 22,446.
Despite the survey commencing in 2021, the government only released its long-awaited report on Tuesday, October 14, 2025. Officials attributed the delay to the highly intricate genetic analysis and meticulous data validation processes involved in such an ambitious exercise.
To achieve this precise count, scientists meticulously collected 21,056 dung samples from various elephant habitats across the country. Employing DNA fingerprinting techniques, similar to how human identities are established, they identified individual animals. This extensive field effort spanned nearly 6.7 lakh kilometers of forest trails and analyzed over 3.1 lakh dung plots.
Geographically, the Western Ghats continue to be a vital sanctuary, hosting the largest elephant contingent with 11,934 individuals. Following closely are the North Eastern Hills and Brahmaputra floodplains, home to 6,559 elephants. The Shivalik Hills and Gangetic plains collectively support 2,062 elephants, while Central India and the Eastern Ghats account for 1,891.
State-wise, Karnataka leads with the highest number of elephants at 6,013, followed by Assam (4,159), Tamil Nadu (3,136), Kerala (2,785), and Uttarakhand (1,792). Odisha’s elephant population stands at 912, while Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand together contribute over 650. Smaller, yet significant, populations thrive in northeastern states like Arunachal Pradesh (617), Meghalaya (677), Nagaland (252), and Tripura (153). In central and eastern India, some states such as Madhya Pradesh (97) and Maharashtra (63) harbor tiny, often fragmented, herds.
This 2025 census, a collaborative effort by the Environment Ministry, Project Elephant, and the Wildlife Institute of India, is crucial. It provides an indispensable scientific baseline for all future monitoring and conservation planning initiatives.
The methodology for this pioneering count unfolded in three distinct phases, integrating on-the-ground surveys, advanced satellite mapping, and detailed genetic analysis. Initially, forest teams utilized the M-Stripes app to document elephant presence during extensive foot patrols. The second phase focused on evaluating habitat quality and assessing human impact using satellite data. The final and most innovative phase involved extracting DNA from dung samples, identifying 4,065 unique elephants. Scientists then applied the sophisticated mark-recapture model to derive the overall population estimate.
Despite being home to over 60% of the world’s remaining Asian elephants, India faces a daunting challenge. Elephant habitats are continually diminishing due to human encroachment, large-scale infrastructure projects, and the escalating human-elephant conflict, underscoring the urgency of these conservation efforts.