Kerala Wildlife

Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is known for its wide variety of wildlife. It is located in the Idukki district of Kerala. Covering an area of 90,422 sq km, it was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1984. Some of the wildlife species spotted here are tiger, spotted dear, monkey, turtle, gaur, elephant, black eagle, viper, sambhar and darter. Its vegetation consists of dry thorny forest, deciduous forest and grasslands,which are interspersed with plains, hillocks, rocks and cliffs. The main attractions of Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary are the endangered Giant Grizzled Squirrel and Albizia lathamii(reptile).Medicinal plants are also found here. The White Bison of Manjampatti has also been reported to be seen here. Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is equally rich in avian life with around 225 species. The Sanctuary offers great opportunities of boating and trekking to the visitors. It can be visited almost throughout the year. Accommodation is easily available here.

Dedicated to the preservation of the endangered Nilgiri Tahr, Eravikulam National Park is one of the best National Parks in South India. It has the largest known population of Nilgiri Tahr in the world. It is home to many wildlife species such as tiger, leopard, gaur, Atlas Moth, sambhar, elephant, Nilgiri Tahr, Lion-Tailed Macaque and langur. Atlas Moths are said to be the largest moths in the world when measured wing to wing. Sprawling over an area of 97 sq km, Eravikulam National Park is located in the beautiful Idukki district of Kerala, South India. Its vegetation consists of grasslands, shrublands and forests. Anamudi, the highest peak south of Himalayas, is located within the Park. Trekking is a great fun in this Park. Some of the beautiful bird species? spotted here are Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, Yellow- Throated, White Bellied Shortwing, Black-and-orange Flycatcher. The best time to visit the Park is from September to February.

Renowned for its elephant population, Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary is a feather in the cap of Kerala. A wide variety of wildlife, a beautiful lake and scenic beauty, the Sanctuary has a lot to offer to its visitors. Covering an area of 77 sq km, Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the wonderful Idukki district. Its vegetation primarily consists of semi-evergreen and deciduous forests. It shelters tiger, elephant, deer, Jungle Cat, langur, leopard, wild boar, Jungle Fowl, myna, Black Bulbul, woodpecker, kingfisher and many more. Reptiles such as cobra, viper, krait and a few non poisonous snakes can be seen here. The reservoir in the Sanctuary has been formed by three dams namely Cheruthoni, Idukki and Kulamavu. The best time to visit the Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary is from December to April.

“ The very idea of bird is a symbol and a suggestion to the poet. How many human aspirations are realized in their free lives and how many suggestions to the poet in their flight and song!” This quote by John Buttoughs, comes to life in Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary. A visit to this Sanctuary will reward you with sweet melodies of the amazing birds present here. It is located on the banks of the beautiful Vembanad Lake, in the village of Kumarakom. It is home to a number of migratory birds. Some of the birds fly in from the Himalayas and some from the snow-capped hills of Siberia. Sprawling over an area of 14 acres, Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is a home to numerous birds such as cuckoo, owl, egret, teal, flycatcher, lark, heron, Wood Beetle. The sight of the endangered Siberian Cranes is simply overwhelming. Another attraction is a boat ride on the lake. The ideal time to visit Kumarakom? Bird Sanctuary is from November to February.

Plan a wildlife tour to the wondrous Periyar Tiger Reserve and experience its wilderness. It boasts of a remarkable wildlife species such as tiger, panther, elephant, Lion Tailed Macaque, gaur, barking deer, Great Indian Hornbill, Nilgiri Laughing Trush, Ceylon Frog Moth and wild dog. Some of the? avian species, which will greet you in the Reserve are cormorant, darter, egret and Pied Kingfisher . Periyar Tiger Reserve is located 50 km north east of capital city of Thiruvananthapuram, on the Cardamom Hills in the Western Ghats of Kerala. Reptiles such as cobra and python can also be seen here. Sprawling over an area of 777 sq km, Periyar Tiger reserve was established as a wildlife sanctuary in 1959 and was declared as a Project Tiger Reserve in the year 1978. Various accommodation options are available near the Reserve. The best time to visit the Reserve is from September to March.

Known for its fabulous bird species, Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary is truly a bird paradise. In fact, it was declared as the richest bird habitat in peninsular India. This Sanctuary was? founded by the famous ornithologist, Dr. Salim Ali. It is also know as Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary and is located in the Ernakulam district of Kerala. It is known for its 500 bird species, some of which are Bee- eater, shirk, Night Heron, Sunbird and Black Winged Kite. Besides birds, around 28 species of animals and nine species of reptile can be seen in the Sanctuary. The vegetation here includes dense tropical evergreen forest, deciduous forest and grassland. Occupying an area of about 25 sq km, Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary is sandwiched between the tributaries of the river Periyar.

During your tour to Wayananad Wildlife Sanctuary you will get an opportunity to see a wide variety of wildlife species. It shelters a number of mammals, birds and reptiles. Mammals seen here are tiger, elephant, deer, bison, bear, panther, monkey, Jungle Cat, Wild Dog etc. Here you can spot birds such as cuckoo, woodpecker, Jungle Fowl, peacock, babbler etc. Reptilian inhabitants of the Sanctuary are a variety of snakes and Monitor Lizard.? Covering an area of 344 sq km, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary spreads across two districts of Kerala i.e. the Cannanore district and the Calicut district. The Sanctuary is a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. The Western Ghats, and Nilgiri Sub-Cluster, including the entire Sanctuary, is under consideration by the UNESCO World Heritage committee for selection as a World Heritage Site.