Erode: The migratory elephant population in Sathyamangalam forest in the district has registered an increase over last year, with 860 being sighted, compared to 800 last year, district forest officer N Ramasubramanian said here today.

He said the elephants usually migrate to Nilgiris in summer for water and due to climatic changes and remain there till December. But very heavy rains in Nilgiris this year had seen herds of them migrate back to Sathyamangalam forest area. they have been spotted with their calves in Mangalapatty, Karuvanrayankoil and Karachikorai forest settlement areas.

The DFO said special bunkers have been erected at 10 or 15 places in the forest to protect the elephants and also save them poachers.