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Wildlife in Kerala

Wildlife Tourism

The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary at Thekkady in Kerala, is one of the 16 Project Tiger Reserves in India. About a century ago, a British engineer, Col. J. Pennycuick, chalked out a plan to dam the Periyar River, subsequently, a dam was constructed in 1895. This resulted in the adjoining forests being granted protection, by the Maharaja of Travancore. The 55 sq km reservoir and the surrounding forests, provide protection to the animals within. Today, Periyar is undeniably, one of the most impressive wildlife sanctuaries in the world.

Main animals in the sanctuaries of Kerala are Bison or gaur, sambar, deer, wild dogs, wild elephants jungle cats, tigers, wild boars, sloth bears, leopards, lion tailed macaques, Nilgiri Tahrs, langur, malabar giant squirrel, flying squirrel, tiger, panthers, spotted deer, grizzled giant squirrels, Hanuman l;angurs, peacocks, star tortoises, wild dogs, civet cats, The Atlas moth, bonnet, macaques, Loris, mongoose, foxen, bears, barking deer, pangolins, bison, bears etc..

Main birds in the sanctuaries of Kerala are water fowl, cuckoo, owl, egret, heron, water duck, migratory siberian duck, jungle fowls, mynas, laughing thrushes, black bulbuls, peafowls, woodpeckers, kingfishers, the hornbill, stork, raptor, darter, cormorant, grackle, cluster, indian rollers, common snipes, crow pheasants, jungle nightjars, kites, grey drongos, malabar trogons, large pied wagtails, baya sparrows, grey jungle fowls, indian hill mynas, robins, jungle babblers, sunbirds, peacocks, crimson-throated barbets, bee-eaters, shrikes, fairy bluebirds, grey-headed fishing eagles, black winged kites, night herons, grey hornbills, malabar hornbills and more than 253 additional species including migrant birds..

Major wildlife parks and national parks in Kerala

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

How to reach:
Nearest Airport - Madurai (143 Kms)
Nearest Railhead - Kumarakom, (114 Kms).
Nearest Town - Kumily (4km), The entry point to the reserve is Thekkady, which is accessible by good roads from Madurai, Cochin & Thiruvananthapuram.

The Periyar Wild Life Sanctuary at Thekkady is a 777 sq. km reserve on the western slopes of the Western Ghats is the most popular wild life sanctuary. A pleasant place to escape from the madding crowds of the cities and towns, a nice place to cruise on the lake, a place to enjoy a jungle walk with an opportunity to see the wild animals. The park is home to antelopes, bison, sambar, wild boar, elephants and a wide variety of birds in addition to tigers and leopards. The journey to Thekkady itself is quite enchanting as the road winds through tranquil countryside, green plantations and thick jungles.

Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary :

How to reach:
Nearest Airport - Cochin (71 Km)
Nearest Railway Station - Aluva (48 Km).

The Thattekkad bird sanctuary, constituted in 1983, occupies the catchment area of the Bhoothathankettu dam. The only one of its kind in Kerala, this sanctuary was designed by Dr. Salim Ali, the renowned ornithologist. He is reported to have identified 167 bird species and his student - dr. Sugathan, 207. In addition, the bombay natural history society has identified 253 species here. The Thattekkad bird sanctuary attract nature lovers from all over the world.

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, situated on the banks of the Vembanand Lake is known for its varied avian population. Local varieties such as waterfowls, cuckoos and owls, as well as the migratory Siberian Cranes can be viewed here.

The Kumarakom Tourist Complex, sprawling over 101 acres of enchanting wooded land and lake, was built around the 50-year-old 'Baker's Mansion', which was earlier a small hotel run by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC).

Now the complex has been renovated in grand style by the Taj Kerala Resorts Ltd. Boats are available on hire for a a cruise around the sanctuary.

Peppara Wildlife sacctuary

Neyyar Wildlife sanctuary

Shenduruni Wildlife sanctuary

Periyar Wildlife sanctuary

Idduki Wildlife sanctuary

Chinnar Wildlife sanctuary

Parambikulam Wildlife sanctuary

Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary

Muthanga Wildlife sanctuary

Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary

Thattekad Bird Sanctuary

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary

Silent Valley National Park

Eravikulam National Park

Nestled in the lush forests of the Western ghats in Kerala are 12 Wildlife sanctuaries and two National Parks.