Read the following statements and choose the correct option:
Statement 1: Karnataka has the highest elephant population among Southern States.
Statement 2: A high number of juvenile elephant deaths in Karnataka are due to Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus (EEHV).

Correct option is C

The correct answer is: (c) Both Statements 1 and 2 are correct
Explanation:
· Statement 1: Karnataka has the highest elephant population among Southern States, as per the Elephant Census (2017) with about 6,049 elephants.
· Statement 2: Karnataka has reported several cases of juvenile elephant deaths due to EEHV (Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus), which is a highly fatal viral infection affecting young elephants.
· Hence, both statements are correct.
Information Booster:
· India has the largest wild Asian elephant population (~30,000).
· Southern States (Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu) account for over 40% of India’s elephants.
· EEHV mainly affects elephants aged 1–8 years, causing sudden death.
· The Project Elephant (1992) provides financial and technical support to protect elephants.
· Gaj Yatra campaign was launched to raise awareness for elephant conservation.