Wildlife of Tamil Nadu

The physical structure of Tamil Nadu is astoundingly varied and diverse. 17.6 % of the 1,30,058 sq-kms of land area, is covered by forest. These forests are sprawled over the plains and on mountain slopes. Dry-deciduous forests, thorn forests, scrubs and mangroves cover the dry land. The area around the Western Ghats is cooler and is blessed with moist deciduous, wet evergreen forests and grasslands. Forests in Tamil Nadu are home to some of the rare and endangered species.Take a trip to Tamil Nadu and spend your wildlife vacations in the jungle resorts offered by the wildlife National Parks in Tamil Nadu.

With 5 national parks and 17 wildlife sanctuaries, Tamil Nadu boasts of its rich treasure of flora & fauna. The famous wildlife sanctuaries in Tamil Nadu are the Anamalai (Indira Gandhi) Wildlife Sanctuary, Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary, Kalakadu Wildlife Sanctuary, Mundanthurai Tiger Sanctuary, Kunthakulam Bird Sanctuary, Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park, Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary and The Viralimalai Sanctuary.


¤ Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary

The Calimere wildlife sanctuary is sprawled over an area of 17.26-sq-kms, encircled by sea and shore. It has forests of tidal swamps, dry evergreen forests of mangroves and is located 90-km southeast of Thanjavur in a wetland which extends out into the Palk Strait dividing India and Sri Lanka. This sanctuary is known for the wide variety of migratory birds like waterfowl, especially flamingos, which gather here every winter. The sanctuary is spread over a vast land, which is mostly covered with shrubs, molded by the violent monsoon winds and treated mercilessly by feral cattle, horses and the graceful buck.

The months of November and January brings tides because of which the tidal mud becomes flat. The marshes are covered with Teals, Curlews, Gulls, Terns, Plovers, Sandpipers, Shanks, Herons and up to 3000 Flamingoes at one time. Besides these one can also find varied fauna such as Chital, Wild boar, Bonnet macaque, Black Buck, Flamingos, Teals, Gulls, Terns, Plavers and Stilts. Major attractions at this sanctuary are close encounters with Dolphins and Turtles, which often come quite close to the shore.


¤ Mudumalali Wildlife Reserve

The Mudumalali Wildlife Reserve was the first sanctuary in south India. The terrain here is highly varied with hills, valleys, ravines, watercourses and swamps. The fauna consists of tropical moist deciduous forests, dry deciduous forests and scrub forests. The climate of Mudumalai reserve is warmer, compared to other reserves.

Langur, bonnet macaque, tiger, leopard, wild dog, hyena, jackal, sloth bear, elephants, gaur, sambar, spotted deer, Indian muntjac, mouse deer, wild boar, rodent and flying squirrel are some of animals found in Mudumalai. The avifauna is quiet rich here, that includes Malabar trogan, Grey hornbill, crested hawk eagle, crested serpent eagle, etc.


¤ Viralimalai Sanctuary

The Viralimalai sanctuary is situated in a small town, at a distance of 30-kms from Trichy and 40-kms from Pudukkottai. It is famous for its Murugan temple and the Peacock sanctuary. This scenic town is bestowed with a good number of wild peacocks, which roam around the Murugan temple.

The Viralimalai sanctuary is one of the best places to watch peacocks and there are at least six species of peacock pheasants distributed throughout South East Asia, though the Palawan Peacock Pheasant or "Tandikan" (Polyplectron Emphanum) is by far the most spectacularly colored of these beautiful birds.


¤ Kunthakulam Bird Sanctury

The famous Kunthakulam bird sanctuary is situated 33 km south of Tirunelveli in Nanguneri taluk, a small and naturally beautiful village, covered with natural forests and ponds. The place is a favorite of bird-lovers. During the months of January to April, every year more than 10 thousand birds from various countries like Pakistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, USA, Australia migrate here and when the season is over the birds return back. Almost 5,000 people visit this sanctuary every day and enjoy the beauty of nature.


¤ Anamalai (Indira Gandhi) Wildlife Sanctuary

Situated about 90 kms from Coimbatore, in the Western Ghats near Pollachi is the Anamalai wildlife sanctuary. The sanctuary is spread over an area of 958 sq. kms. The sanctuary has a national park, which boasts of various kinds of animals like Elephant, Gaur, Tiger, Panther, Sloth Bear, Deer, Wild Bear, Wild Dog, Porcupine, Flying Squirrel, Jackal, Pangolin, Civet Cat and birds like Rocket-tailed Drongo, Red Whiskered Bulbul, Tree Pie, Black Headed Oriole, Spotted Dove, Pigeon, etc. The Amaravati reservoir in the Anamalai wildlife sanctuary is home to a large number of crocodiles.