Wildlife Sanctuaries of Kerala
Chimmini wildlife sanctuary
Located in the region of the western ghats, on the either side of Marayoor. It is a main dwelling place of endangered giant squirrel of India. Other habitants of forest are leopards, elephants, bears, wild pips, wild bisons, tigers etc.
Flora: Evergreen forest, semi green forests and leaf shedding forests.
Idukki wildlife sanctuary
The sanctuary is surrounded by scenic lake, fascinating the tourist with its wildlife which includes elephant, deer, bear, leopard tiger, wild pig etc. It also inhabits the reptiles like cobra, viper, python, rat, snake etc. More than 265 species could be found in the forest such as dartar, stork, woodpecker, etc.
Flora: White pine, kuntherekka pine, punnappa, bhadraksham, palai, maravuri, vayana etc.
Kumarakom Bird sanctuary
Located on the banks of the Vembanad lake, is privileged with countless number of both local and migratory birds. It is a favourite haunt of migratory birds like siderian stock, darter, heron and teal. Local birds are woodpecker, skylark, cuckoo parrots etc. Houseboats and motorboats are available along the vembabad lake to explore the species in the sanctuary.
Wayanad wildlife sanctuary
The sanctuary was established in 1973. The main attractions are leopard, panthers, bear, porcupine etc.
Birds like peacock, babblers, cuckoos, woodpeckers can be seen here. Monitor lizards and variety of snakes are also crawling in the forest.
Flora: Teak, maruthu, venteak, vengal, bamboo, rosewood, chadachi etc.
Thettekad bird sanctuary
The fascinating Thettekad Bird sanctuary was designed in 1983 by Dr. Salim Ali. He is reported to have identified 167 species birds and his student, Dr. Sugarhan, 207. In addition Bombay natural History Society has identified 253 species here. It is a residing place of birds like Indian rollers, cuckoos, crow pheasants, nightjar, kites, robins. Few reptiles like python and cobra can also be found here.
Flora: Vellapine, karanjili, palai, kunthirikam, bhadraksham, kanala, kurangatti etc.
Periyar Tiger Reserve
One of the most popular wildlife sanctuary designed in 1978, attracts the nature lovers from all over the world. Emerald green forest and beautiful Periyar Lake fascinates the visitors. It is a home of 35 species mammals such as wild elephant, panther, Sambhar, barking, Nilgiri Tahr and langur etc. Avifauna includes 265 species bird like Darter, stork, peafowl etc.
Flora: 1800 flowering plants, 171 grass species and 143 species of orchids.
Parambikulam wildlife sanctuary
This wildlife sanctuary is a dwelling place for countless number of mammals and reptiles . The main attractions of the sanctuary are Bonnet macaques, lion, loris, tigers, mongoose, gaurs etc. It also homes the reptiles like crocodiles, cobras, pythons, kraits, rat snakes and many more.
Flora: Neem, sandal, teak, vaka, vembu, aval, dendrocalamus and bamboosa arundinacca etc.
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