The number of elephants in the sanctuaries of Neeligiri (INdia) biosphere spread over Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka has increased, according to a report as part of a three-day survey of wild elephants.

The data collected during the survey which concluded on Wednesday had been sent to the Periyar Foundation and Kerala Forest Research Institute for analysis, after which an exact picture would emerge, Wild Life Warden of Wayanad, Deepak Mishra said.

The census team had sighted herds of elephants on the banks of the Kabani river and other spots frequented by the animal in Wayanad-Mysore borders like Bewoor, Guntara, Maragaddha and Kaloor.

According to Wild Life Department sources, going by the sightings by survey teams in Wayanad in Kerala, Bandipore and Nagarhole in Karnataka and Mudumalai in Tamil Nadu, the elephant population was on the increase.