wildlife

Wayanad wildlife sanctuary which is also known as Muthanga sanctuary is situated in the state of Kerala in India. This protected area is contiguous to the wildlife sanctuary in adjoining states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Muthanga serves as a home to many wild mammals and birds. India Bison, spotted dear, Asiatic elephants and peafowls are very common here.
Wayanad wildlife sanctuary is second largest in the area in Kerala state.

The sanctuary has a rich diversity of animal life including: Mammals 39 species, Amphibians 16 sp., Birds 268 sp., Reptiles 61 sp., Fish 47 sp., Insects 1049 sp. and Butterflies 124 sp.

Mammals

- Important mammals include: Lion-tailed Macaques, Nilgiri Tahr, elephants, tigers, panthers, Wild boar, Sambar, Bonnet Macaques, Nilgiri Langurs, Sloth Bears, Nilgiri Marten Small Travancore Flying Squirrel and Gaur, the flagship mammal of Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary.

Parambikulam is located in Palakkad district of Kerala state, south India. Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary, 10°28′N 76°50′E established in 1973 is a Sungam range sprawling over 285 km². It is at a distance of 135 km from Palakkad town and is situated adjacent to the Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu. The Western Ghats, Anamalai Sub-Cluster, including all of Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary, is under consideration by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee for selection as a World Heritage Site.

Besides being an abode of elephants, wild boar, sambar, Gaur, crocodiles, and a few tigers and panthers, it has rich diversity of flora and fauna. Trekking in the forest is allowed with prior permission. Boating is available at the reservoir. There is the Kannimara Teak Tree, which is said to be Asia’s largest, near Thunakadavu.

Camps in Silent Valley National Park

Kerala Forest and Wildlife Department is conducting nature camps in the Silent Valley National Park for the students of government recognized educational institutions and NGO’s. Free accommodation and vegetarian food will be provided.

Fauna and flora

Valley areas of the park are in a Tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests Ecoregion. Hilly areas above 1,000 m are in a South Western Ghats montane rain forests region. Above 1,500 m, the evergreen forests begin to give way to stunted forests, called sholas, interspersed with open grassland. Both are very important to naturalists, biologists and other researchers because the rich biodiversity here has never been disturbed by human settlements. Several threatened species are endemic here. New plant and animal species are often discovered here.

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A biosphere reserve is an international conservation designation given by UNESCO under its Programme on Man and the Biosphere (MAB). The World Network of Biosphere Reserves is the collection of all 531 biosphere reserves in 105 countries (as of May, 2008).

An animal sanctuary is a facility where animals are brought to live and be protected for the rest of their lives. Unlike animal shelters, sanctuaries do not seek to place animals with individuals or groups, instead maintaining each animal until his or her natural death. In some cases, an establishment may have characteristics of both a sanctuary and a shelter; for instance, some animals may be in residence temporarily until a good home is found and others may be permanent residents. The mission of sanctuaries is generally to be a safe haven, where the animals receive the best care that is possible for the sanctuary's means. Animals are not bought, sold, or traded, nor are they used for animal testing. The resident animals are given the opportunity to behave as naturally as possible in a protective environment.