Wild life sanctuary

Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary & National Park is situated at the tri-junction of the three southern states of Tamilnadu, Kerala, and Karnataka. Mudumalai wildlife reserve is a continuation of the Bandipur National Park.
It was the first sanctuary in South India and established in the year 1940. It covers an area of 321 Sq. Km. comprising of pristine tropical wilderness. The place is rich in its bio-diversity especially the avifauna (Birds). The river Moyar that flows along the border or Tamil Nadu and Karnataka separates the two. The Mysore - Ooty highway runs through the park. Mudumalai forest attracts a large number of wildlife enthusiasts every year, coming from all over the planet. To accommodate the increasing number of tourists, the Indian Forest Department located in Mudumalai National Park created many wildlife resorts and forest lodges situated in Mudumalai forest itself.

It is included as part of the Nilgiri Bio-sphere reserve which is the first of its kind to be declared as a bio-sphere reserve in the country. A variety of habitats ranging from Tropical Evergreen forest, Moist mixed deciduous, Moist Teak forest, Dry teak forest, Secondary grass lands, Shrubs and Swamps exists here. The bird diversity in these habitats is unbelievably rich and is a welcoming place for bird watchers from far and wide. This park harbours over 200 species of birds from 48 families and is one of the richest bird areas in the State of Tamilnadu. Some of the rarely seen Birds of prey like the rufous bellied hawk eagle can be occasionally seen in this sanctuary. Nights are fascinating especially during the month of April, when the whole sanctuary is illuminated with millions of glow worms.

The wildlife in the Mudumalai National Park can be divided into the following categories:

The Mammals:
The major wildlife in the Mudumalai National Park include,

• The Asian elephant, Tiger, Leopard, Gaur, Hyena
• Jackal, Sloth Bear, Sambar, Chital, Muntjac
• Mouse Deer, Wild Boar, Stripe-necked Mongoose, Nilgiri Tahr (adjoining areas), Porcupine
• Giant Flying Squirrel, Bonner Macaque, Barking Deer, Four-horned Antelope, Otter and Langurs.

Mudumalai forest and Mudumalai wildlife was set up as a national park in 1940 and has become an important part of the wildlife conservation of India since then. The sanctuary for Mudumalai wildlife is among the best and most attractive wildlife refuges that you can see in the southern part of the country. 

The Birds: 
The Mudumalai National Park is known for its avian population. The park is home to over 200 species of birds belonging to 48 families, enough to attract thousands of ornithologists and bird lovers to the park. The major birds found in the Mudumalai National Park include,

• The Crested Hawk Eagles, Crested Serpent Eagle, Malabar Trogon, Malabar Whistling Thrush, Large Racket-Tailed Drongos
• Spotted Babbler, Green Pigeons, Brown Dove, Malabar Grey Hornbill, Parakeets
• Bulbuls, Cuckoos, Hornbills, Scops Owl, Tiny-eared Owl
• Black Woodpecker, Mynas, Barbets, Buzzards, Harriers, Falcons and the King Vulture.

The Reptiles: 
Mudumalai forest can be found among the picturesque surroundings of Tamil Nadu. Nilgiri Hills is a part of the Mudumalai National Park which, in turn, is a component of the greater Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.

• The reptile population in the Mudumalai National Park mainly consists of the Crocodiles and Pythons.
• Common Krait and Bamboo Pit Snake are the other major reptiles in the park.
• The park also supports a variety of turtles, frogs and amphibians.

The entire sanctuary can be covered by car or on trained elephants provided by the Forest Department on hire. The best season to visit the sanctuary is during March-June.