The Mudumalai National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Nilgiri district of Tamil Nadu. It is on the northwestern side of the Nilgiri Hills and shares boundaries with the states of Kerala and Karnataka. The sanctuary is home to a wide range of endangered species and including the Bengal Tiger, Gaur, Indian Elephant, and Leopard.
Under consideration by UNESCO for declaring it a World Heritage Site, the Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary has a Tiger Reserve inside it. This is in an effort to conserve the dwindling population of Tigers in the country and give a new lease of hope to the big cat breed. The high availability of prey species has rekindled the Tiger population in the reserve.
Animal Life in Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary
Mudumalai National Park has a high density of wild animals with over 50 species of fish, 34 species of reptiles, 55 species of mammals, and 230 species of birds. The reptiles in the area include Python, Spectacled Cobra, Krait, Pit Viper, and Flying Lizard. There are Crocodiles found in the sanctuary as well. The Mugger Crocodiles can be spotted in and around the Moyer River inside the sanctuary. Tourists are regularly advised to stay away from the river and its near surroundings.
The notable carnivores in the wildlife park include the Striped Hyena, Sloth Bear, Indian Leopard, Tiger, and Golden Jackal. Other mammals include Sambar Deer, Gaur, Indian Elephant, Wild Boar, and Indian Muntjac.
Flora in Mudumalai
There are parts of the Mudumalai forest that have different rainfall patterns when compared to other regions. This in turn has led to patches of various forest types which includes tropical moist deciduous, tropical semi-evergreen, and tropical dry deciduous.
Several species of wild cultivated plants are found in the sanctuary. There is wild rice, cinnamon, mango, wild ginger, and pepper which can be seen in the place. There are bamboos growing inside the reserve which are eaten by both Elephants and Gaurs.
Attractions in Mudumalai
There are quite a few attractions in the Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary that must be visited on a trip to the place.
Elephant Feeding Camp
The feeding camp for Elephants is open to the public. This is where one can see the Elephants being fed and engaged in eco-tourism operations. The mammals are trained by authorities and are involved in anti-poaching lookouts and other similar drills. Visit the place to get an understanding of how Elephants are trained and reared by trained professionals.
Mudumalai Museum
The Museum is near the Elephant Feeding Camp and has a collection of animals that once lived in the sanctuary. These animals are no longer in the park and it is interesting to see the different kinds of animals which lived in the place.
Moyer River
The Moyer River runs in the middle of the dense forest and is the place where most animals come to quench their thirst. The river is also a place where Mugger Crocodiles can be found. The forest department has a warning board in place to keep tourists away from the waters.
check Also Nilgiri Mountain Railway World Heritage Site 2023
How to Reach the Place
The Mudumalai National Park is 39 kilometers from Ooty. The nearest railway station to Mudumalai is Udagamandalam station which is 64 kilometers away while the nearest airport is in Coimbatore at a distance of 160 kilometers. There are regular bus services from Ooty and Mysore to the wildlife sanctuary as well.
