Wayanad Wildlife

Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is an animal sanctuary in Wayanad spread over 344 sq. km, and is bounded by protected area network of Nagarhole and Bandipur of Karnataka in the northeast, and Mudumalai of Tamil Nadu on the southeast.It is a part of the Wayanad plateau and the vegetation mainly consists of the deciduous teak forests and semi-evergreen trees.

This second largest wildlife sanctuary is also called as "Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary". There are many mountain peaks inside the sanctuary, the most prominent one being the "Karottimala". This peak is situated at a height of around 3,800 feet above the main sea level. The other important mountain peaks inside the sanctuary have altitudes ranging between 2,100 feet and 2,600 feet.

The wildlife sanctuary comes under Protect Elephant mission and thus houses a number of elephants. The Elephant rides arranged by the Forest Department, is an exciting and memorable experience.

It also houses animals such as Slender Loris, Indian Bison, elephant, deer, panthers, jungle cats, civet cats, monkeys, wild dogs, bisons, deer, bears, monitor lizards and a variety of snakes and tiger. There are more than 216 species of birds in the sanctuary including Peacocks, babblers, cuckoos, owls, jungle fowl, pariah kite, crested honey buzzard, paradise flycatcher, woodpeckers and Peafowl.

Different varieties of fish, such as Malabar catopra, korhi barb, Wayanad barb, snake heads, giant danio and Wayanad mystus, are found in the streams and rivers flowing through the sanctuary.

The forest vegetation consists of maruthi, karimaruthi, rosewood, venteak, vengal, chadachi, mazhukanjiram, bamboos, veteria indica., lagerstroemia, lanceolata, termianalia paniculata etc.

It is the second largest wildlife sanctuary in Kerala amidst lush green forests and is under consideration by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee for its selection as a World Heritage Site. The sanctuary is divided into two separate parts known as the Upper Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary in the north and Lower Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary in the south. The area in between the two parts was originally a forest region, and is now occupied majorly by plantations. The Forest Department aims at the conservation of the environment with due consideration for the general lifestyle of the tribal and others who live in and around the forest region.

Jeep Safaris are arranged by the Forest Department for visitors to enjoy the views of the Sanctuary.

For more information on Sulthan Bathery @ www.hoparoundindia.com