The three-day synchronized elephant census, carried out collaboratively by teams from Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka, ended today.

Volunteers, students, and forest officials employed the waterhole count method during this mammoth exercise.

This approach involves identifying key locations such as water bodies, salt pits, and open areas that elephants frequently visit.

In total, the census covered 699 blocks, engaging a workforce of 2,099 forest officials, volunteers, and students.

Over the past two days, teams utilized the sightings method, with each group covering a minimum distance of 15 km to document the total count of elephants in their designated forest areas.

The synchronized approach was adopted to prevent double-counting, considering elephant habitats often span state boundaries.

State forest department secretary Supriya Sahu explained, “We have instructed the teams to meticulously record age, sex, and other pertinent details of every single elephant observed within each block using this method.”

Senior forest department officials conducted training sessions for volunteers and college students participating in the census.

The survey in Tamil Nadu encompassed various reserves, including Srivilliputhur-Megamalai Tiger Reserve, Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, and Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve.

It also extended to elephant-inhabited forest areas within Salem, Dharmapuri, Vellore, and Dindigul districts.

Equipped with tools like GPS devices, measuring tape, binoculars, cameras, and sickles, volunteers were well-prepared for the task.

They were advised to dress inconspicuously, avoid strong scents, maintain silence, stay vigilant, and keep a safe distance from wild animals.

To promote environmental responsibility, Sahu mentioned, “Volunteers have been instructed to refrain from using plastic during the census. Moreover, they are reminded not to litter forest areas with wrappers from snacks.”

The teams employed the ‘line transect dung count’ method on Thursday, collecting a minimum of 60 samples of elephant dung from a single area.

Importantly, the volunteers were required to determine the freshness of the dung pile, marking if it was less than 24 hours old.

Teams, including experts and volunteers, ventured into the field for sample block perambulation. The Coimbatore forest division comprised around 40 of these teams.

The last nationwide synchronized elephant census in 2017 counted 2,761 elephants with tusks in Tamil Nadu.

The state forest department identified 708 blocks across 26 forest divisions for this census, with 42 blocks situated within the Coimbatore forest division.

Each team consisted of forest department personnel, anti-poaching watchdogs, and two representatives from NGOs or college students.

“We anticipate having an accurate estimate of the elephant population in the state’s forest regions within two weeks,” stated the secretary in charge.

Canidae Pet Food Reviews: An In-Depth Look

Choosing the right pet food is crucial for the health and well-being of our furry friends. In this blog post, we'll delve deep into Canidae pet food, a popular choice among pet owners, and provide an in-depth review based on various sources.

Canidae is a well-known brand in the pet food industry, offering a range of products designed to cater to pets of all ages, breeds, and sizes.

Product Range:

Canidae All-Life Stages (Dry): This vet-formulated product suits dogs of all ages, breeds, and sizes. It's available in both dry and wet formulas.
Canidae Pure: A limited-ingredient diet crafted for dogs with food sensitivities. Each recipe typically includes 7 to 10 ingredients.

Key Ingredients

The Canidae All Life Stages Multi Protein Formula, which represents the brand's product line, contains ingredients like chicken meal, turkey meal, brown rice, peas, oatmeal, and barley. Chicken meal, the primary ingredient, is a meat concentrate with nearly 300% more protein than fresh chicken.

Recalls and Safety

Canidae has had recalls in the past. It's essential to stay updated with the brand's recall history to ensure your pet's safety.

Customer Reviews

The Canidae Dog Food product line has earned an overall rating of 4.5 stars from The Dog Food Advisor. The Canidae All Life Stages Dog Food has received the Advisor's second-highest tier rating of 4.5 stars.

Pros and Cons:

Pros: High protein content, suitable for all life stages, contains beneficial ingredients like flaxseed and taurine.
Cons: It contains some controversial ingredients, and not all minerals are chelated, which might affect absorption.

Conclusion

Canidae All Life Stages is a grain-inclusive dry dog food that uses a notable amount of named meat meals as its primary source of animal protein. With an above-average protein content and a profile suggesting a significant amount of meat, it comes highly recommended for pet owners.