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Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary
 Location :
15 kms from Calicut, Kerala
Also Known As :
Muthanga Widlife Sanctuary
Main Attractions :
Giant Squirrel, Tiger, Leopard
Best Season :
September to November
Established in 1973, the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is contiguous to the protected area network of Nagarhole and Bandipore of Karnataka and Mudumalai of Tamilnadu.
Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, 15 kms from Calicut is bisected by a tract of cultivated land into two distinct parts. One falls in the Kozhikode District and the other in the Kannur District. Wayanad literally means the 'land of swamps'.
Rich in bio-diversity, the sanctuary is an integral part of the nilgiri biosphere reserve, which has been established with the chief objective of conserving the biological heritage of the region.
The sanctuary has excellent moist deciduous teak forests and marshes dominated by bamboo and other grasses. These forests are also said to be amongst the most extensively forested belts in the Indian Peninsula.
The Wild Population - Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary
Elephants, Tigers, Panthers, Jungle Cats, Civet Cats, Monkeys, Wild Dogs, Bisons, Deer, Bears, Racquet-tailed Drongo, Barbet. Monitor lizards and a variety of snakes are seen.
The sanctuary is also rich in avian life and Peacocks, Babblers, Cuckoos, Owls, Woodpeckers, Jungle Fowls are a few of the various types of birds seen here.
The park in rich in flora and has Teak, Maruthu, Karimaruthi, Rosewood, Venteak, Vengal, Chadachi, Mazhukanjirarn, Bamboo etc. grow in the moist deciduous forest.
Veteria indica, Lager stroemia, Lanceolata, Terminalia paniculata etc. are common in the semi evergreen patches.
Climate
Warm Months - March - May, Moonsoon : June - August. Rainfall : 2000 mm. Established in 1973, the Wayanad wildlife sanctuary is contiguous to the protected area network of Nagarahole and Bandipur of Karnataka and Mudumalai of Tamil Nadu. Rich in biodiversity, the sanctuary is an integral part of the Nilgiri biosphere reserve, which was established with the specific objective of conserving the biological heritage of the region.
Vegetation
Moist Deciduous Forest - Teak, Maruthi, Karimaruthi, Rosewood, Venteak, Vengal, Chadachi, Mazhukanjiram, Bamboo etc.
Wildlife Population
Mammals - Elephant, Tiger, Panther, Jungle Cat, Monkey, Wild Dog, Bison, Deer, Bear Etc. The Elephant Occupies Prime Position Interstate Seasonal Migration Of Elephants Is Common. The Tiger Population In The Sanctuary Is Fairly Good.
 Birds
Peacock, Babbler, Cuckoo, Owl, Woodpecker, Jungle Fowl Etc.
Reptiles
Monitor Lizard And A Variety of Snakes
Topography
Gently undulating with occasional hillocks, the highest peak is Karottimala (1158m).
Climate
The tract receives fairly reasonable amount of rain, most of which is received during June to August. March, April and May are warm.
Forest Types
Most of the forests are of the south Indian moist deciduous type. There are, however, a few patches of west coast semi evergreen forests. About 110 sq.kms of the sanctuary is under plantations of teak, eucalyptus. And grevelia.
Flora
In the moist deciduous forest, maruthi, karimaruthi, rosewood, venteak, vengal, chadachi, mazhukanjiram, bamboo etc grow. In the semi-evergreen patches Veteria indica. Lagerstroemia, Lanceolata, Termianalia paniculata etc are common.
 Fauna
The animal population of the sanctuary is varies. Elephant, tiger, Panther, jungle cat, civet cat, monkeys, wild dog, bison, deer, bear, etc. inhabit the sanctuary. Reptiles like monitor lizard and a variety of snakes are seen. Peacock, babblers, cuckoos, owl, wood pecker and jungle fowl are only a few among the different types of birds seen in the area.
Among the animals, elephant occupies the prime position. Interstate seasonal migration of elephant is common.Tiger population of the sanctuary is fairly good. Frequent sightings are reported from Tholpetty, Rambur and Mavinhalla areas.
Travel Information
Good roads connect the sanctuary with Kozhikode, Mysore and Ootty. They are also connected by rail and are within 110 kms from the sanctuary. The nearest airport is Kozhikode. Visitors can halt at Sultan Bathery or Mananthavadi and visit the sanctuary Government rest houses and private lodges offer accommodation.
HOW TO GET THERE
Air: The nearest Airport is at Cochin, 300km.
Rail: The nearest railhead is Calicut 110 km.
PLACES TO STAY
Forest Rest House provides reasonable accommodation.
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