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Wildlife 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.
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.
Eravikulam National Park
This sanctuary was established specially for the preservation
of Nilgiri Tahr, one of the most endangered animals on the
planet. 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 houses elephants, sambars, gaurs,
lion-tailed macaque, Nilgiri langur, tigers and leopards.
Accommodation and board facilities are available at Munnar,
the nearest town, which is connected to Kottayam (148 km.)
and Ernakulam (130 km.) by road. There is a motorable road
upto Rajamally. Further, travel is on foot which makes for
some great trekking.
Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary
A 70 sq. km. area 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.
Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary
The Neyyar reservoir is easily navigable and extends 9.06
sq. km. The vegetation varies from tropical wet evergreen
to grasslands. The Agasthyakoodam hill, 1890 metres high,
lies in the premises of the 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.
Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary
Parambikulam has one of the largest population of gaur (bison).
Sambar, spotted deer, jungle cat, lion-tailed macaque, common
otter, sloth bear etc. are the other inhabitants. There are
also a few tigers and leopards. Facilities for boarding and
lodging are available at the sanctuary. There are forest rest
houses at Thunacadavu, Thellikkal and Elathode. Motor transport
and boat cruise can be arranged on request. The Indira Gandhi
Wildlife Sanctuary of Tamil Nadu lies adjacent.
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 Trichur.
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.
Elephant, sambar, leopard and lion-tailed macaque are some
of the commonly seen animals.
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Thekkady
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.
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. Vehicular traffic is allowed upto
Mukkali from Mannarghat. From Mukkali one has to cover at
least 24 km on foot to reach the source of river Kuntipuzha,
which flows through the valley.
Nearest railhead is Palghat, 75 km away. Admission to the
park is restricted. Prior permission is required to visit
the park. For further detail contact: The Divisional Forest
Officer, Palghat.
Thattekad Bird Sanctuary
This bird sanctuary is a peninsular land of 25 sq. km, formed
between the branches of the river Periyar. 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. can also be sighted.
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