Wildlife Sanctuaries in Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu, located in the south, can be considered the most beautiful state in the country. As much as it is famous for natural beauty, it is also known for its religious, historical and cultural elements. It is also known for wildlife, especially for the great diversity of habitats found here. The many amazing sanctuaries are a refuge for wildlife and wildlife lovers.

Wildlife tourism destinations at the meeting of the Eastern and Western Ghats make Tamil Nadu tourism special. Of note are the Mudumalai, Theppakadu, Karagudi, Nellakota, Masinagudi and Mudumalai national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. The Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary is known for the conservation of species like the Bengal tiger, gaur, and Indian leopard. 266 species of birds are found here.

Wildlife Sanctuaries in Tamil Nadu

Here is the list of wildlife sanctuaries in Tamil Nadu with the geographical location:

Mudumalai National Park 

Founded in 1940, Mudumalai National Park was the first national park in southern India. The main attractions inside the Mudumalai National Park include raptors such as the Crested Hawk-Eagle, Crested Serpent Eagle, Malabar Trojan, and Malabar Gray Hornbill. The fact that this park is so close to Bandipur National Park is the most crucial factor.

Mudumalai National Park, which was recently designated as a tiger reserve, is located on the banks of the Moyar River and is connected to the Nilgiri Hills’ northwestern border. The elephant herds in this refuge are well-known. This sanctuary is not only known for the conservation of elephants but tigers, leopards, gaurs, hyenas, sloth bears, sambar, rat deer and other wild animals are also seen. It is also home to a variety of reptiles, including crocodiles, pythons, and turtles.

Migratory birds such as the falcon eagle, scops owl, brown pigeon, black woodpecker, king vulture, falcon, and others can be found in Mudumalai National Park. Aside from that, this sanctuary is noted for its tropical evergreen forest, which includes mixed deciduous, dry teak, and grasslands.

Kalakad Wildlife Sanctuary

As the largest wildlife sanctuary in Tamil Nadu, Kalakad Wildlife Sanctuary is most famous for tigers and their conservation.

This sanctuary in Tirunelveli is home to the lion-tailed macaque, Nilgiri langur, bonnet macaque, langur, Nilgiri tahr, sambar, sloth bear, gaur, elephant, flying squirrel, leopard, wild dog, and pangolin.

The Kalakad Wildlife Sanctuary was founded in 1976 with the goal of conserving lion-tailed macaques. It is located in the southern buffer zone, with Kanyakumari Wildlife Sanctuary in the south, 3528 hectares of a wildlife sanctuary in the north, and 46990.20 hectares of eco-development area in the east.

Karikili Bird Sanctuary 

Karikili Bird Sanctuary, located in the Kancheepuram district of Tamil Nadu, is one of the most famous bird sanctuaries in the country. The Karikili Bird Sanctuary covers around 61.21 hectares. It is well-known as a stopover for migratory birds between September and October. It is one of India’s oldest sanctuaries. This refuge is home to 115 different bird species. Grebes, grey pelicans, cormorants, egrets, darters, spoonbills, night-herons, and white ibis are among the most common.

Anamalai Tiger Reserve

Anamalai Wildlife Sanctuary is located around 90 kilometres from Coimbatore, near Pollachi, in the Western Ghats, at an elevation of 1,400 meters. It is one of the most famous wildlife sanctuaries of Tamil Nadu. It is no less than a natural paradise that spans 958 square kilometres and contains a national park. The name of the sanctuary was recently changed to Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary.

Elephants, gaurs, tigers, leopards, sloth bears, deer, wild bears, wild dogs, porcupines, flying squirrels, jackals, pangolins, civet cats, racket-tailed drongos, red-mustched bulbul tree pies, and black-headed birds such as Oriole, Spotted Pigeon, and Pigeon are among the reserve’s residents.

Conclusion 

Tamil Nadu is also known for Anamalai Tiger Reserve, Kanyakumari Wildlife Sanctuary, Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve and Vettangudi Bird Sanctuary. Srivilliputhur Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary is a special sanctuary known for the conservation of various types of squirrels and wildlife species, including birds. Tigers, leopards, and elephants can be seen in these sanctuaries. 

In addition to numerous large and small animals, endangered species such as the golden langur and black deer are protected. These wildlife sanctuaries help protect wildlife by giving them the benefit of the natural environment.