Kerala has about 7,000 wild elephants and 100 tigers as per the latest survey on the animal population in the forests, State Forest Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan said today.
The number of other wild animals has also gone up in the state, Radhakrishnan said at a function on 'Wildlife day'.
Man-animal conflict and related issues have also emerged with the increase in the number of wild animals, he said.
Incidents of wild animals straying into forest fringe areas have occurred in the state due to shortage of water inside the forests, he said.
He said government has initiated various measures to protect and preserve forests.
Noted poet and environmental activist Sugathakumari presided over the function.