THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A report has been prepared by the forest department states that the number of wild animals has decreased in the state. This is as per the census to find the number of tigers in the forests of Wayanad from April 10 to May 25 and wild elephants from May 17 to 19 in the south Indian states.

The number of tigers in Wayanad was counted by installing cameras at 297 places. The census found that there are 84 tigers in the census. In 2018, it was 120.

It was found that there are 1,920 wild elephants in the block count method in May. But 2,386 elephants were found through the dung count method. The official explanation is that the number of elephants in the state is somewhere between 1,920 and 2,386 as the number of elephants in the state was calculated using two different methods. In 2017, 3,322 elephants were found in block count and 5,706 wild elephants in dung counting.

Drop in animal population will be checked: Minister Saseendran

Minister AK Saseendran said that the forest area has not decreased in the state, but the reduction in animal population will be checked. "The Forest department is taking strong action against animal poaching. But, it cannot be said that elephant poaching is not going on. We will never get a 100 percent accurate report", the minister said.