Wildlife in Wayanad

Wildlife sanctuaries in Wayanad are the must-visit places for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers. It is the treasure house of animal sightseeing with amazing flora and fauna.

Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is contiguous to the protected area network of Nagarhole and Bandipur of Karnataka on the northeast and Mudumalai of Tamil Nadu on the southeast. It was established in the year 1973 and has been divided into two parts, Tholpetty and Muthanga. The former being near to Mananthavady and the latter near to Sulthan Bathery.

These two sanctuaries are rich in wildlife like elephants, leopards, tigers, panthers, civets, bison, deer and bears as well. Also, they have huge varieties of birds. The wildlife sanctuaries are the favorite spots for animal lovers and for bird watchers. To enjoy seeing these animals opt for a jeep safari. Jeep Safaris are held twice a day, at Muthanga as well as Tholpetty forest reserves. No prior booking is done for these safaris and tickets are issued at the counter an hour in advance.  Also, the elephant rides arranged by the forest department are worth experiencing.

Staying overnight inside the sanctuary is possible, and is sure to be a good experience. However, bookings are to be done only through the forest wardens. If you are lucky enough you can spot wild animals during your ride. Malabar giant squirrels are seen in plenty in these regions.

Besides the wildlife, these sanctuaries are a treasure home for a moist deciduous forests containing many herbs and medicinal plants. A large portion of this forest is covered with valuable trees like rosewood, teak, and rosewood making it one of the largest valuable forests of India. The sanctuary is well-maintained by the Forest department to preserve the old lifestyle of tribal people.

The best time to visit the sanctuary is between June and October.