Goa Wildlife Sanctuaries
¤ Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary
Distance :52km from Panaji,
38km from Margao
 Away
from the coast, the Goan landscape breaks into the dramatic and green
foothills of the Western Ghats. These foothills shelter the Bondla
Wildlife Sanctuary; the smallest wildlife reserve in Goa, which
occupies an area of 80sq. km. The sanctuary has the sambar, gaur
(Indian bison) and wild boar, amongst others animals. Elephants have
been spotted here at times. Perhaps they come in from across Karnataka
to enjoy the sea breeze and check out Goa. The sanctuary houses a
botanical garden, a rose garden, a small deer-park and a zoo, which
was initially established to shelter orphaned animals.
¤ Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary
At the confluence of the Mandovi and Mapusa Rivers lies the Salim Ali
Bird Sanctuary, spread across an area of 2sq. km. in the Charoa
Island. The wildlife sanctuary supports rich mangrove forests, which
are home to a host of birds, a sizeable population of flying foxes,
jackals, crocodiles, turtles and some other life forms endemic to
coastal wildlife.
¤ The Mandovi-Zuari Wildlife sSanctuary
has a stretch of rich mangrove swamps, considered to be amongst the
most important in the country. Spread over a vast area, this wildlife
sanctuary is home to about 20 different species of mangroves that
include the rare Kandelia candel species. The swamps support a large
variety of fish, birds, jackals, snakes, and crocodiles, to name a
few.
¤ Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuaries
Distance : 60km from Panaji
Getting to the Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary is a little tedious; but if
you are in the mood to be in the middle of woods and discover the
quieter side of Goa, the journey is well worth the trouble. Catigao is
Goa’s second largest wildlife reserve. The 105sq. km. of forested
land provides shelter to a number of birds and animals. If you go with
the intention of seeing some of India’s legendary fauna here,
then you could be in for a disappointment, as spotting the more famous
wild animals is not extremely common. But the expansive forestland is
a welcome change.
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