Wildlife in South India

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

 Set high in the scenic surroundings of Western Ghats of Kerala, Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the most sought after wildlife reserves in South India. It is also distinguished as a famous national park and protected tiger reserve which attracts the wildlife lovers from all across the world. The sanctuary is stretched in a vast area of 777 sq km and is noted for its geographical diversity and mild climate. Boasts of an undulating terrain and rich flora and fauna, the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is home to a number of exotic wildlife species. The major animal species inhabiting the park are Asian elephants, tigers, gaurs, nilgiri languars, wild boars, sambars, lion-tailed macaques, spotted deer, barking deer, sloth bears, wild dogs, mongoose, giant squirrel and civet etc. Besides, the park also houses more than 260 species of birds including the Nilgiri wood pigeons, blue winged parakeets, black winged kite, white bellied tree pies, laughing thrushes, darters, flycatchers, hornbill, barbets, plovers and cormorants to name a few.

Though renowned as a tiger Reserve, you can also see herds of wild elephants near the Periyar Lake frolicking in the water. You can also enjoy elephant rides in the park and can capture photographs of various wild animals at close quarters. The best time to visit Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is from October to June.

Bandipur Wildlife Sanctuary

Located amidst the serene surroundings of western ghat mountains in Karnataka, the Bandipur Wildlife Sanctuary is a beautiful national park and an attractive tourist destination in South India. In 1973, it was declared as the Tiger Reserve under the Project Tiger Plan and in 1974, it attained the status of a National Park. The Bandipur Wildlife Sanctuary is blessed with diverse geographical features, pleasant climate and wide variety of flora and fauna. The flora of the national park is comprised of deciduous and forests and grassy woodlands with abundance of teak trees. The most famous inhabiting mammal in the park is the Asiatic elephant which form one of the best remaining habitats of these elephants in the world. The other animal species include bonner macaque, jungle cat, golden jackal, palm squirrel, Bengal fox, grey mongoose, ruddy mongoose, Indian pangolin, languor, tiger, chital, sloth bear, grizzled squirrel, leopard cat, lion tailed macaque and four horned antelope. The various species of birds to be spotted in the park are peafowl, grey jungle fowl, serpent eagle, scops owl, green pigeon, red spur fowl, parakeets, woodpeckers, hornbills, drongos, warblers and scarlet minivets etc.

At the park, you can also come across with the reptile population including the marsh crocodiles, monitor lizard, rock python, vine snake, rat snake, wolf snake, common krait and Russell’s viper. It also houses some of the species of frogs, turtles and amphibians. The national park is an exotic paradise for the wildlife lovers to explore the wild charm amidst natural habitat and enchanting scenery. The best time to visit the Bandipur Wildlife Sanctuary is from March to July and September to November.

Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary

Idukki is a land-locked district and one of the most nature-rich regions in Kerala. Located at a distance of 40 km from Thodupuzha, Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary is situated at an altitude of 450- 748 m above sea level covering an area of 77 sq km. The sanctuary forms an enchanting tourist place marked with undulating hills, deep valleys, and tropical ever-green and deciduous forests in the scenic backdrop of Idukki Lake. The beauty of this picturesque lake and roaming herds of elephants frolicking in the lake water presents an enchanting sight to fascinate the visitors in the sanctuary.

The Idukki Sanctuary is comprised of a wild variety of flora and fauna. The major population of wildlife includes elephants, deer, wild dogs, jungle cats, bison, sambhar, tiger, wild boar, languor and giant squirrel etc. Besides some species of retiles such as cobra, viper, krait and snakes can also be seen here. A large number of birds also inhabit the place such as jungle fowl, laughing thrush, myna, black bulbul, woodpecker, kingfisher, peafowl and so on. The Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary is a magnificent place to see the amazing wildlife in their natural habitat.

Nagarhole Wildlife Sanctuary

 Nagarhole Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park is located in the state of Karnataka and covers an area of 643 km. Sharing the boundary with Bandipur National Park, it is a home to a number of endangered species of wild animals. The word Nagarhole is derived with the combination of two words, Naga means snake and Hole means stream. True to its name, numerous streams pass through its rich tropical forests like snakes.  Some of the major rivers flowing through the sanctuary are Kabini, Teentha, Lakshmana and Nagarhole.

The national park houses a good variety of flora including open grassy swamps, dry and moist deciduous forests inhabiting an abundance of teak and eucalyptus trees. The most prominent wild species in the park are elephant and bison. Other wild population in the park includes tiger, leopard, wild dog, hyena, sloth bear, deer, four horned antelope, gaur, wild boar, elephant, languor, bonnet macaque, jungle cat, mongoose, leopard cat, otter, giant flying squirrel, mouse deer, porcupine, jackal, pangolin and many more. The park is also a home to over 250 species of birds such as scarlet, blue-bearded bee eater, ducks, herons, thrush, great black woodpecker, hornbill, Malabar trogan, Indian pitta and so on. Apart from large variety of woodland birds, you can also spot several water fowls along the Kabini River in the park. Moreover, the common reptiles such as marsh crocodiles, rock python, monitor lizard, tortoise, frogs, tree frogs and a number of insects and butterflies also form an important part of the Nagarhole Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park. The best time to visit the park is October- May.

So, plan a tour to the exotic wildlife tour to South India and watch the abundance of animals and birds in their natural habitat.

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