Wildlife in Kerala

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.

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About Wildlife in Kerala

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.