Aralam
Wildlife Sanctuary
Elephants, sloth bear, sambar, mouse-deer etc. are found in this
sanctuary. It is also rich in avifauna and reptiles. This sanctuary
is easily accessible from Kannur.
Chinnar
Wildlife Sanctuary
Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is very close to Eravikulam National
Park and Anamalai Wildlife Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu, which makes its
wildlife all the more richer. It is easily accessible from Udumalpet
in Tamil Nadu and Munnar in Kerala.
Eravikulam
National Park
This sanctuary was established specially for the preservation of
Nilgiri Tahr, one of the most endangered animals on the planet. Now
the number of tahrs has increased and they constitute the largest
known population of tahrs existing in the world. In addition to
tahr, the park houses elephants, sambars, gaurs, lion-tailed
macaque, Nilgiri langur, tigers and leopards. Accommodation and
board facilities are available at Munnar, the nearest town, which is
connected to Kottayam (148 km.) and Ernakulam (130 km.) by road.
There is a motorable road upto Rajamally. Further, travel is on foot
which makes for some great trekking.
Idukki
Wildlife Sanctuary
This sanctuary spread over 70 km lies between the Periyar and
Cheruthoni rivers. This helps the breeding of the various animals
like elephants, bisons, bear, wild boars, sambar etc are found in
this area. The lake on the three sides of the sanctuary offers a
panoramic view to the tourists.
Neyyar
Wildlife Sanctuary
The Neyyar reservoir is easily navigable and extends 9.06 sq. km.
The vegetation varies from tropical wet evergreen to grasslands. The
Agasthyakoodam hill, 1890 metres high, lies in the premises of the
sanctuary. Elephants, gaur, sloth bear, Nilgiri tahr, jungle cat,
wild boar, Nilgiri langur etc. are seen. A crocodile rearing centre,
deer farm and lion safari park are the main attractions.
Parambikulam
Wildlife Sanctuary
Parambikulam has one of the largest population of gaur (bison).
Sambar, spotted deer, jungle cat, lion-tailed macaque, common otter,
sloth bear etc. are the other inhabitants. There are also a few
tigers and leopards. Facilities for boarding and lodging are
available at the sanctuary. There are forest rest houses at
Thunacadavu, Thellikkal and Elathode. Motor transport and boat
cruise can be arranged on request. The Indira Gandhi Wildlife
Sanctuary of Tamil Nadu lies adjacent.
Peechi
Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary
It lies in the catchment areas of Peechi and Vazhani dams in
Trichur District. Peechi, the headquarters of the sanctuary is 15 km
by road from Trichur.
Peppara
Wildlife Sanctuary
Peppara is accessible from Vithurai on Thiruvananthapuram Ponmudi
road. This sanctuary with its rich fauna and birds is emerging as a
big attraction to wildlife enthusiasts. It is spread over an area of
53 Sq. km. on the Western Ghats. Elephant, sambar, leopard and
lion-tailed macaque are some of the commonly seen animals.
Periyar
Wildlife Sanctuary, Thekkady
The most renowned destination is the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary at
Thekkady, one of India's major sanctuary areas. The drive to
Thekkady itself is enchanting as the road winds through tranquil
countryside, rich plantations and thick jungles.
The sanctuary offers a lovely and comfortable way to see the
animals via boat rides on the man-made lake, which the wildlife
areas encircle. In addition to the wild life, there are water and
land birds galore here, and one can sometimes find dedicated bird
watchers setting in for one or two weeks of serious observations.
Silent
Valley National Park
The Silent Valley National Park is one of the very few unexplored
tropical evergreen rain forests. Situated in the western ghats, this
park offers a very soothing atmosphere. Elephants, tigers, wild dog,
flying squirrel and lion-tailed macaque are found here.
This place is at 75 km from Palghat. Vehicular traffic is allowed
upto Mukkali from Mannarghat. From Mukkali, one has to cover 24 km
on foot to reach the source of river Kuntipuzha, which flows the
valley.
Thattekad
Bird Sanctuary
This bird sanctuary is a peninsular land of 25 sq. km, formed
between the branches of the river Periyar. The avifauna includes
both resting indigenous birds and water birds. The most notable of
the indigenous birds are Malabar grey hornbill, grey jungle fowl,
heron, egret, jungle myna, wood pecker, rose winged and blue winged
parakeet. Rare birds like Ceylon frog-mouth, rose billed roller etc.
can also be sighted.



