South India » Kerala Wildlife »
Kerala has an amazing variety of wildlife
spread across its vast expanse of tropical
forests. The forests range from lowland rainforests
to high latitude sholas (high altitude montane
forests) to dry deciduous forests. Due to
thick vegetation, animal sightings are difficult
unlike the open savannahs of Africa. Hence
he best possible options are jeep Safari
and trekking into the deepest forests.
The forests in Kerala are indeed some of
the most magnificent and varied found anywhere
in the world. The Western Ghats, the natural
mountain barriers of Kerala, bordering Tamil
Nadu and Karnataka are home to the majority
of Kerala’s forests and wildlife..
Chinnar (Wild life sanctuary)
Situated on the TamilNadu - Kerala border,
the wild life Sanctuary is spread across 90.44
sq kms. A wide range of animals and birds
like elephants, porcupine, lion tailed monkeys,
jungle fowl, spotted dove, laughing thrush
etc.
Eravikulam - Rajamalai (Wild Life Sanctuary)
The 97 sq km wild life sanctuary is also known
as a National Park, since it has the largest
population of Nilgiri Tahr existing in the
world. A wide variety of plant life is present
here. The popularly known Neelakurinji is
one of the rare species that grows here. There
are different species of animals and birds
like barking Deer, Gour, Giant Malabar Squirrel,
Tiger, Panther, Wolf, Black Bird, Jungle crow
etc.
Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary
This sanctuary spreads over 77 sq kms and
is about 450- 478 m above sea level. There
is a scenic lake around the sanctuary and
the wildlife found here are similar to those
in other wildlife sanctuaries nearby.
Periyar Wildlife
Sanctuary
Situated close to the plantations, in the
jungles of Periyar in Thekkady, The Periyar
Wildlife Sanctuary spreads across 777 sq kms
of which 360 sq km is thick evergreen forest.
In 1978 this sanctuary was declared as a Tiger
Reserve. Noted for its geomorphology, diversity
of wildlife and scenic beauty, the splendid
artificial lake formed by Mullaperiyar Dam
across the River Periyar, adds to the charm
of this place. This is the only Sanctuary
in India where you can have unique experience
of viewing wildlife at close quarters from
the safety of a boat on the lake. The greatest
attraction of Periyar, however are the herds
of wild elephants.
Thattekad Bird Sanctuary
The bird sanctuary is located on the northern
bank of the River Periyar. The area of the
sanctuary is 25sq. kms . Important birds found
are large falcon, jungle fowl, white-breasted
water hen, hornbill etc.
Alaram Wildlife Sanctuary
Alaram Wildlife Sanctuary is a situated on
the slopes of the Western Ghats. Found in
this tranquil sanctuary is elephants, sloth
bears, sambar and mouse deer as well as fauna
and reptiles.
Pappinisserry
16 kms from Kannur town, the snake park here
houses about 150 varieties of snakes including
the Spectacled Cobra, King Cobra, Russell
Viper, Krait and Pit Viper. There is also
a large collection of non-poisonous snakes
including Pythons.
Parassinikkadavu (Snake Park)
Parassinikkadavu Snake Park is dedicated to
preservation and conservation of snakes, most
of which are getting extinct gradually. It
has many snake pits and glass cases especially
made only for king Cobras. In all there are
about 150 snakes including spectacled Cobras,
Monosialed Cobras, Russell, Vipers, Pit Viper
and three magnificent king cobras. There is
also a large collection of poisonous snakes
and large Pythons.
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
12 kms west of Kottayam town is this small
village Kumarakom, which has a beautiful bird
sanctuary on the banks of the Vembanad Lake
and is an ideal place for backwater cruises.
The 14-acre sanctuary is an ornithologist's
paradise and a favourite haunt of migratory
birds like Siberian stork, Egret darter, Heron
and Teal. There are also different varieties
of local birds like waterfowl, wild duck,
cuckoo, owl, water duck etc.
Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary
19 kms from Kozhikode and 7kms from Beypore
Port, the Sanctuary IS spread over a cluster
of islands in a scenic area surrounded by
hillocks, where the River Kadalundipuzha flows
into the Arabian Sea. Over a hundred varieties
of native birds flock here in large numbers
and around 60 varieties of migratory birds
come here every year.
Mayukadumpara
This grove takes its name from the large number
of peacocks found here.
Silent Valley national Park
40Kms north east of Mannarkad, spread over
90 sq. kms is Silent valley, a virgin forest,
which is believed to be the role surviving
bit of evergreen forests in the Sahya Ranges
or Western Ghats. The name Silent Valley is
derived because it is devoid even of the chirping
of cicadas. It contains India's last substantial
stretch of tropical evergreen rain forests,
and a large number of wild animals.
Parambikkulam Wildlife Sanctuary
110 Kms from Palakkad, the Parambikulam Wildlife
Sanctuary, part of the neighboring Annamalai
Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu, is one of the best
in Kerala. Sprawled across 285 sq kms, it
has a rich diversity of flora and fauna. It
has large population of Gaur (Bison), Nilgiri
languor, jungle cat, lion tailed macaque,
Sloth bear, Sambar and spotted deer, along
with some tigers and leopards. The Cannimari
Teak Tree, said to be Asia's largest, stands
about 5 kms from Thuna-kadavu, the headquarters
of Parambikulam. Boating and cruising facilities
are available at the Parambikulam Reservoir.
Kollam (Quilon)
Shendurni Wildlife Sanctuary
70 kms from Kollam on the Kollam -Shencotta
Road is the Shendurni Wildlife Sanctuary.
The sanctuary is situated on the banks of
the River Shenduny.
The Zoo
2 kms from Thrissur town, is the zoo, which
is a wonderful place for animal enthusiasts.
Within the 13.5 acres of compound, a variety
of fauna like the lion tailed macaque, Sloth
bear, various species of birds, deer etc.
The snake park has a reptilian collection
of King Cobra, Kraits, Vipers and rat snakes.
Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary
50 kms from Thiruvananthapuram, the sanctuary
with its rich mammalian fauna and birds is
emerging as a big attraction to wild life
enthusiasts and ornithologists, spread over
an area of 53 sq. km on the Western Ghats.
This is dotted with large hills and numerous
hillocks with forests and eucalyptus plantations.
Elephants, Sambar, Leopard, Lion- tailed macque
and Cormorant are commonly seen here.
Muthanga wildlife sanctuary
Muthanga wildlife sanctuary is located 16
km east of Sultan Battery.
Pakshipathalam
Pakshipathalam in Bramha Giri hills is situated
7kms north east of Thirunelly. This picturesque
bird watching centre is located at a formidable
height of 1740 m above sea level. One has
to trek 17 kms through wild forest to reach
'Pakshipathalam'. The deep rock caves at the
northern top end of the Brahmagiri is the
habitat of a number of rare species of birds.
