Wildlife in Kerala

Wildlife in Kerala State have fascinating beauty with abundant species of plants, animals, birds, reptiles and many more organisms.Lying in the windward side of the western ghats , Kerala has a long chain of hill stations that are home to exotic wildlife. All awash in the spice scented air of endless acres of plantation ranging from cardamon , vanilla and pepper to tea and coffee. Kerala consists of wet evergreen rainforests at lower elevations and highland deciduous and semi-evergreen forests in the east, is subject to a humid tropical climate. Most of Kerala’s significantly bio-diverse tracts of wilderness lie in the evergreen forests of its easternmost districts.

Kerala contains 9,400 km² of natural forests. Out of the approximately 7,500 km² of non-plantation forest cover, there are wild regions of tropical wet evergreen and semi-evergreen forests. Kerala also hosts two of the World’s Ramsar Convention-listed wetlands: Lake Sasthamkotta and the Vembanad-Kol wetlands are noted as being wetlands of international importance. Kerala is home to spices also termed as land of spices, around 1000 species of spices are found in Kerala.

Major fauna includes Asian Elephants, Bengal Tigers, Leopards, Nilgiri tahrs, Grizzled Giant Squirrel, Lion tailed Macaque, Indian Sloth Bear, Gaur, Gray Wolf, Boar, Flying Squirrels and many more of other species. Reptiles found in the dense forests of Kerala are Python, King Cobra, Viper, and various turtles and Crocodiles. Birds like Oriental Bay Owl, Great Horn-bill, , Indian Grey Horn-bill, Peafowl, Oriental Darter, Kingfisher, Woodpecker, Jungle Fowl and many other species can be found in Kerala rich wildlife forests.

List of Famous Wildlife Sanctuaries in Kerala

Neyyar Sanctuary

Located-30 Km from Trivandrum
A haven for exotic flora and fauna, 12,000 hectares of natural vegetation is spread across an indulating terrain interspresed with rushing brooks, flat meadows and gentle slopes. An ideal trekking destination, the 1868 m Agasthyamala Peak is its highest point.

Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary

Located– 50 km from Trivandrum
This sanctuary spread over 53 sq km on the western ghats, has rich flora abd fauna and is dotted with hillocks, forests and eucalyptus plantations.

Shenduruney Wildlife Sanctuary

Located -66 Km from Kollam

Declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1984, this region is unique for its bio-diversity, remains of Stone Age culture and an important ecotourism resource, Thenmala.

Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary

Located– 55 Km from thodupuzha in Idukki
A charming canopy of dense tropical evegreen forests, tropical semi-evergreen forests and moist decidious forests fringe the scenic lake that surrounds this protected area on the three sides.

Periyar Tiger Reserves

Located– 4 Km from Thekkady in Idukki
Snuggled in the Western Ghats, one of the world’s richest bio-diversity spots, is the fascinating natural wildlife sanctuary of Thekkady- the protected Periyar Tiger Reserves. There are two watch towers inside the forest teeming with exotic wildlife.

Eravikulam National Park

Located-15km from Munnar in Idukki
The main attraction of this park is situated in the Devikulam taluk are the Nilgiri Tahr and the Neelakurinji flowers that bloom just once in 12 years. The highest peak in South India, Anamudi (2695 m) is located in the southern region of the park.

Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary

Located– 60 Km from Munnar
Situated on the Tamil Nadu border, the Rajmala-udumalpet Road winds right through it, enabling travellers to view wildlife including elephants, sambar, gaur etc.

Thattekad Bird Sanctuary

Located– 20 km from Kothamangalam in Ernakulam
Alos called as De Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, Thattekad, nestled in evergreen forests, was discovered by the renowned ornithologist of India, Dr Salim Ali and is named after him.

Peechi-Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary

Located– 20 Km east of Thrissur

Established in 1958, this is one of Kerala’s oldest wildlife reserves. Formed around the twin reservoirs of Peechi and Vazhani, the sanctuary is a rich repository of bio-diversity with several endangered herbs, shrubs, rare medicnal plants and innumerable variety of orchids.

Chimmini Wildlife Sanctuary

Located 37 Km from Thrissur
With its dense forests, a variety of birds and butterflies and innumerable trekking trails, this is a sanctuary that provides a heady experience for nature enthusiasts. The Forest Department organises trekking and bamboo rafting programmes in and around the sanctuary. But the highlights of all excursions is the "moonlight sonata ", which involves rafting on full moon lights.

Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary

Located -110 Km from Palakkad
Sprawled across 285 sq km , The Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary is home to rare wild animals. Boating/cruising facilities are available at the reservoir.

Silent Valley National Park

Located– 40 Km northwest of Mannarkad in Palakkad
The 89.52 sq km national park is believed to be the sole surviing bit of evergreen forests in the Sahaya Ranges. The pecularity of the Silent Valley Forest is that it is devoid of even the chirping of cicadas.

Wayanad Wildlife Sanctury

Located -17 km from Sulthan Bathery

Established in 1973, the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary encompasses an area of 344 sq km and is made up of two discontinuous pockets -Muthanfa in the south and Tholpetty in north.

Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary

Located – 35 km from Thalassery in Kannur
At his 55 sq km sanctuary, nature walks, soft trekking,bamboo rafting,coracle boating, stay at tree house and many more activities can be done.

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