Wildlife in Wayanad

Wayanad is one of the most attractive and alluring places full of natural life in the southern part of India. It is known as a Green Paradise, a popular tourist destination and a hill station situated south of the Deccan plateau on the Western Ghats in North Kerala, 1000 m above sea level. It is not only famous as a hill station but is also known for its wildlife and jungle safari. It is endowed with lush green forests rich wildlife and fertile agricultural lands.

Wildlife in Wayanad

The Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary in Wayanad, Kerala, India, was established in 1973. It has an area of 344.44 sq. km with four ranges: Sulthan Bathery, Muthanga, Kurichiat, and Tholpetty, separated by plantations. Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala, South India, is contiguous with the protected area of the Nagarhole National Park and the Bandipur Tiger Reserve in neighboring Karnataka and Mudumalai of Tamil Nadu. Wildlife Safari in these Wildlife Sanctuaries in India provides an unforgettable experience with frequent sightings of free-ranging wildlife like herds of elephants, guars, deers, monkeys, tigers, leopards, bears, many species of reptiles, fishes, butterflies, birds, including endangered species of white-rumped and red-headed vultures, etc.

Elephants in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary

If one desires to see wildlife in its natural habitat amid thriving green forests, then pack your bags and head straight to Tholpetty and Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuaries in the Wayanad district. Forest Department’s monitoring program for 2017-18 has found that the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (WWS) has the sizeable tiger population in Kerala. Of the total 176 Bengal tigers in the State, 75 were located in WWS, part of an extensive forest network holding the single largest population of tigers in India.

Red Fox Cubs in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary

Tholpetty is located 20 km northeast of Mananthavady on Kodagu Road and is one among many places in Kerala to view beautiful flora and fauna at home. It is part of the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (WWS), the second-largest in Kerala after the Periyar sanctuary. Tholpetty is one of the two discontinuous pockets of Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary in the north, the other being Muthanga in the south. Tholpetty forests consist of tropical, moist dry ephemeral, and semi-evergreen forests. Plantations of eucalyptus, teak, silver oak, and rosewood cover about one-third of the sanctuary. Tigers, elephants, jungle cats, panthers, civet cats, monkeys, wild dogs, deer, bears, bison, and snakes can be specked in the sanctuary. The sanctuary is also a birdwatchers’ paradise: babblers, cuckoos, peacocks, owls, woodpeckers, jungle fowls, butterflies, and vultures are some avian beauties spotted in the area. It is inescapable for those who love to see wild animals roaming freely in their home. A lake where animals come down for a drink and a watchtower are the ones one shouldn’t miss. The best way to explore the green forest and wildlife at Tholpetty is through a jeep safari conducted by the Forest Department. Organized twice a day, the jeep safari lets you spot wild animals and birds up close in their natural habitat.

Bear in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary

The other one is Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary which is contiguous to the protected area network of Nagarhole and Bandipur of Karnataka in the northeast and Mudumalai of Tamil Nadu in the southeast. The sanctuary is an inherent part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and is rich in bio-diversity. Muthanga wildlife sanctuary was brought under the project elephant in 1991-92. Here you can see semi-evergreen, moist deciduous, and dry deciduous forests. The highlighted ecotourism program of Wayanad is the two-hour long jeep safari organized by the forest department in the tourist zone of the jungle. With the help of an expert guide and a driver, you can take on the wild. Both these safaris are open from 7-10 AM and 3-5 PM. The Best time to visit these sanctuaries is December to March. Visitors are allowed only to the outer tourist zone. It gives one an excellent perspective on how we must strive to conserve these natural wonders. Both these sanctuaries are very well connected with other parts of the country through rail, road, and airports. So, what are you waiting for? Plan a tour of this mystic town in Kerala and take a leisurely stroll amidst magnificent natural beauty full of wildlife and a wide range of flora and fauna. Welcome to Wayanad.