| Eravikulam
National Park |
 This
sanctuary was set up specially for the preservation of Nilgiri Tahr, one of
the seriously endangered animals. Now the number of tahrs has increased and
they constitute the largest known population of tahrs existing in the world.
In addition to tahr, the park shelters elephants, sambars, gaurs,
lion-tailed macaque, Nilgiri langur, tigers and leopards. |
Silent Valley National
Park |
 The
Silent Valley contains India’s last substantial stretch of tropical
evergreen rain forests and it is perhaps the only vestige of a near virgin
forest in the whole of the Western Ghats. Elephants, tigers, wild dog,
flying squirrel and lion-tailed macaque are found here.
|
Periyar Wildlife
Sanctuary |
 The
most renowned destination is the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary at Thekkady, one
of India's major sanctuary areas. The drive to Thekkady itself is enchanting
as the road winds through tranquil countryside, rich plantations and thick
jungles.
The sanctuary offers a lovely and comfortable way to see the animals via
boat rides on the man-made lake, which the wildlife areas encircle. In
addition to the wild life, there are water and land birds galore here, and
one can sometimes find dedicated bird watchers setting in for one or two
weeks of serious observations.
Covering an area of 777 sq. km. of lush green tropical forests, it is the
natural habitat of elephant, bison, spotted deer, sambar, bear etc.
Colourful variety of birds like the Malabar Grey Hornbill, Grey jungle fowl
and the Jungle Myna are seen. |
Thattekad Bird
Sanctuary |
 This
bird sanctuary is a peninsular land of 25 sq. km. Formed between the
branches of River Periyar. The rivers are rich in fishlife and are shallow
for most of the year. The avifauna includes both resting indigenous birds
and water birds. The most notable of the indigenous birds are Malabar grey
hornbill, grey jungle fowl, heron, egret, jungle myna, wood pecker, rose
winged and blue winged parakeet. Rare birds like Ceylon frog-mouth, rose
billed roller etc. are also seen. |
Parambikulam Wildlife
Sanctuary |
 This
bird sanctuary is a peninsular land of 25 sq. km. Formed between the
branches of River Periyar. The rivers are rich in fishlife and are shallow
for most of the year. The avifauna includes both resting indigenous birds
and water birds. The most notable of the indigenous birds are Malabar grey
hornbill, grey jungle fowl, heron, egret, jungle myna, wood pecker, rose
winged and blue winged parakeet. Rare birds like Ceylon frog-mouth, rose
billed roller etc. are also seen.
Parambikulam is endowed with luxuriant vegetation. It has one of the largest
population of gaur (bison). Sambar, spotted deer, jungle cat, lion-tailed
macaque, common otter, sloth bear etc. are also seen. There are also a few
tigers and leopards.
|
Idukki Wildlife
Sanctuary |
 The
sanctuary is situated just above the arch dam. An area of 70 sq. km. of
forest land in between the Periyar and Cheruthoni rivers form an excellent
habitat for wildlife. Elephants, bisons, bear, wild boars, sambar etc are
found in this area. The lake on the three sides of the sanctuary offers a
panoramic view to the tourists. |
Chinnar Wildlife
Sanctuary |
| Proximity to
Eravikulam National Park and Anamalai Wildlife Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu makes
Chinnar rich in wildlife. This sanctuary is easily accessible from Udumalpet
in Tamil Nadu and Munnar in Kerala. |
Aralam Wildlife
Sanctuary |
| Elephants, sloth
bear, sambar, mouse-deer etc. are found in this sanctuary. It is also rich
in avifauna and reptiles. This sanctuary is easily accessible from Kannur.
|
Peppara Wildlife
Sanctuary |
 Peppara
is accessible from Vithurai on Thiruvananthapuram – Ponmudi road. This
sanctuary with its rich fauna and birds is emerging as a big attraction to
wildlife enthusiasts. It is spread over an area of 53 Sq. km. on the Western
Ghats. This is dotted with large hills and numerous hillocks with forests
and Eucalyptus plantations. Elephant, Sambar, Leopard and Lion tailed
macaque are commonly seen. |
Neyyar Wildlife
Sanctuary |
 The
Neyyar reservoir is easily navigable and extends 9.06 sq. km. The vegetation
varies from tropical wet evergreen to grasslands. Agasthyakoodam of 1890
metres elevation is in this sanctuary. Elephants, gaur, sloth bear, Nilgiri
Tahr, jungle cat, wild boar, Nilgiri Langur etc. are seen. A crocodile
rearing centre, deer farm and lion safari park are the main attractions near
the da1m site. |
Peechi - Vazhani
Wildlife Sanctuary |
 It
lies in the catchment areas of Peechi and Vazhani dams in Trichur District.
Peechi, the headquarters of the sanctuary is 15 km by road from Trissur.
|
Nagarhole Wildlife
Sanctuary |
 It is
40 km from Mananthavady. There are no bus services to Nagarhole from
Mananthavady, only jeeps and trucks are available. There is a PWD Rest
House, Forest Rest House and Forest Inspection Bungalow at Mananthavady. The
reservation authorities are the District Collector, Waynad and the DFO,
Mananthavady. There are also mid range hotels and an Indian Coffee House
here. From Cannanore, Tellicherry and Calicut there are frequent buses to
Mananthavady. |
|
Wildlife in Kerala
