Wayanad is among the most beloved treasures of God's Own Country and here it is that its eponymous wildlife sanctuary was set up in 1973. Spread over a sprawling area of 344 sq. km., Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is the personified version of famous wildlife sanctuaries in the South. The wildlife sanctuary is a small part of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. There are two parts of the wildlife sanctuary- Muthanga towards the east partnering with Tamil Nadu and Tholpetty in the north side bordering Karnataka. The terrains of the forest can be best explored by sitting on the back of an elephant or hopping in a jeep safari. The national park springs back to life during monsoon, at this time a group of elephants; roam freely here and there without any intrusions. Muthanga region in Wayanad area is great for elephant sightings, often in the thick bamboo groves flanking the main road. In fact, Wayanad wildlife sanctuary is one of those places where the elephant project was started.

Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the most diverse wildlife in South India. Through the thickest semi-deciduous and deciduous trees, passes the mountain stream called Kakkayam river, where deadly animals like sloth bear, tiger, elephants and deers come to hunt their thirst. Lush green forest of the National Park is home to paddy fields, coffee, rubber plantation and cardamom plantations. The sanctuary has a chequered history. The place is still home to many tribal families that are staying there since sanctuaries.

The Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is an animal sanctuary in Wayanad, Kerala, India. A variety of large wild animals such as Indian bison, elephant, deer and tiger are found there. There are also quite a few unusual birds in the sanctuary. In particular, peafowl tend to be very common in the area. Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is the second largest wildlife sanctuary in Kerala. It is bestowed with lush green forests and rich wildlife.This wildlife area houses some of the rare and endangered species of both flora and fauna.

History of Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary

Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary was formed in 1973 and was brought under the Project Elephant in 1991–92. This sanctuary occupies an area of 345 km2. It is the second largest one in the state of Kerala. The sanctuary is separated into two disconnected parts known as the North Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary and South Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary. The area in between the two parts was originally a forest region, though it is now occupied majorly by plantations.

In 2012, a tiger was shot dead by the Kerala Forest Department on a coffee plantation on the fringes of the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary. Many local political leaders applauded the killing of the tiger. Chief Wildlife Warden of Kerala ordered the hunt for the animal after mass protests erupted as the tiger had been carrying away domestic animals.

Topography And Climate of Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary

Undulating hills and thick greenery are characteristics of the wildlife sanctuary of Wayanad. The highest peak is Karottimala, which is situated about 3800 ft above MSL. There are other peaks which lie at an altitude of 2100 to 2600 ft. The elevated landscape ensures a cool climate and the visitors can enjoy a serene cool atmosphere with temperature falling up to 13 degree Celsius during winter and rising up to 32 degree Celsius during summer. A good rainfall of about 2200 mm is experienced by the area and usually heavy rainfalls occur from June to August. Wayanad climate is salubrious.

Flora And Fauna of Wayanad wildlife sanctuary

While you surpass the roads leading to Muthanga and Tholpetty, you will get an enchanting view of the rich flora and fauna on the way. The road sides are all thick and green with beautiful plantations present in the forests which consist of bamboo trees, spiky ginger bushes and the likes. Paddy fields are another striking factor you will come across on your way.

Flora

Moist and deciduous forests cover most of the sanctuary area where one can also spot a few patches of evergreen forests. Bamboo groves with deciduous forests is another key attraction of the sanctuary. One-third of the sanctuary is covered with teak, rosewood, silver oak and eucalyptus plantations. Marshy lands are also present in the sanctuary. The place comprises rich flora of tree species such as careya arborea, terminatia chebula, kydia calycina, anogeissus latifolia, stereospermum colais and dalbergia latifolia.

A number of shrubs and creepers too can be spotted in the region. Woody climbers including entada scandens and calycopteris floribunda too can be spotted in the forests of Wayanad.

Fauna

The sanctuary houses a variety of animals such as herds of elephants and deer walking across the road or in the forests. The cat family including tigers and panthers too is present in the region. Langurs, bonnet macaques, monkeys, sambar, bison and bears too can be spotted in the sanctuary. The diverse forest life consists of slender loris too.

Monitor lizards and snakes including golden tree snake, coral snake, green whip snake and pit vipers can be found in the sanctuary. The other fauna includes crocodiles, termite hill gecko which is a kind of gecko, flying lizards, chameleon, skinks, flap shell turtles and skinks.

There are around 216 bird species in the sanctuary including peacock, babbler, owl, black woodpecker, cuckoo and jungle fowl. There are about 30 species of amphibians which belong to the area including Ceylon kaliula, ramanella, ornate microhylid, red microhylid, bi-coloured frogs, Malabar gliding frog and bronze frog.

The rivers across the sanctuary have a number of varieties of fishes including wayanad barb, Malabar catopra, korhi barb, snake heads, ariza labeo, common rasbora, wayanad mystus and giant danio.

Muthanga And Tholpetty Sections

Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary comprises two major sections namely Muthanga and Tholpetty. Muthanga lies to the southern side of Wayanad at a distance of 18 km from Sulthan Bathery. On the other hand, Tholpetty lies to the north of Thirunelli. Muthanga is situated next to the Bandipur Tiger Reserve in Karnataka and the Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu. The sanctuary also borders the ranges namely Sulthan Bathery and Kurichiat located in Kerala and is famous for its very rich biodiversity. Tholpetty adjoins Nagarhole Range present in Karnataka. Wayanad with an area of 2126 sq km has a beautiful history.