Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuaries - Ooty, Tamil Nadu

The most prominent of the wildlife sanctuaries in the state, as well as one of the most important in the southern region, thickly forested Mudumalai borders the Bandipur National Park in Karnataka and the Wayanad Sanctuary in Kerala. Apart from the wide range of animal and bird life, the rich fauna of this sanctuary has made Mudumalai very popular with wildlife enthusiasts.

The Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary is located at a distance of 67 Km from Ooty. If you are in town for a couple of days, then a visit to the Wildlife sanctuary would be a great way to spend a day. The Wildlife Sanctuary boasts of very rich flora and fauna, and is home to many endangered species. Though tigers and Leopards are only seen by the fortunate few, elephants, giant squirrels, Sambhar, chital, barking deer and flying squirrels are a common sight. The Sanctuary is also a great place to see many kinds of birds, including colourful parakeets, black woodpecker, Malabar trogon and crested hawk eagle. If you have children with you or you yourself are simply fond of the majestic elephants then, you might like to visit the elephant camp within the sanctuary, Theppakkadu.

The Mudumalai wildlife sanctuary is located where the Nilgiri Hills, the offshoot of the Western Ghats meet the Eastern Ghats. The Mysore - Ooty highway runs through the sanctuary, following the course of the Mayyar River, which separates Mudumalai from Bandipur Situated at a lower altitude and easily accessible to visitors. It borders the Bandipur National Park in Karnataka Part of the huge Nilgiri biosphere reserve, this park has a large variety of big and small game. It is also one of the most popular parks among wildlife enthusiasts.

How To Get There

Bus Lots of buses from Ooty and Mysore. It takes between an hour-and-a-half to three hours, depending on what route they take.Jeep You could do the same thing in a jeep, at your own pace and time.

Located at a height of 1140 meters, at the junction point of Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, it extends over and area of 321 Sq. A variety of flora consisting of tropical ever green forest, moist teak forest, secondary grasslands and swamps are found. Panther, Sambar, spotted Deer, Barking Deer, Wild boar, Porcupine and many others make up the fauna of the forest along with the avian fauna that includes Minivets, Hornbills, Fairy Blue Birds and Jungle Fowls.

Mudumalai has the distinction of being the first sanctuary to be set up in India. It is a part of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Park and is located 36 Km from Udhagamandalam via Kalhatty and 67 Km via Gudalur. It is spread over a vast area of 321 Sq.Km and at an elevation of 1,140 metres.

Elephants, tigers, panthers, spotted deer, barking deer, wild boar, Minivets, horbills and jungle fowl co - exist within Mudumalai embrace. Wild - life enthusiasts can ride into the jungle on elephant back or in a vehicle along the designated visitors route inside the jungle.

It is one of the most prominent wildlife sanctuaries of Tamil Nadu and the South. The thickly forested sanctuary covers an area of 321 Sq. Km. bordering the Bandipur National Park in Karnataka and the Wayanad Sanctuary in Kerala. It is home to rich and varied species of animal life. The key fauna includes, elephant, bison, Sambar, barking deer, tiger, leopard and a large number of smaller mammals like civet, cat, mouse deer, giant flying squirrel and many species of birds and snakes.

An 'Elephant Camp'5 Km. from the sanctuary is interesting. Elephants are bred here in captivity and trained for use in timber work. The park can be visited through out the year, except for 3 months- June and August. Regular buses are available for the park from Ooty and Mysore (94 Km.).