7 Protected Wildlife Areas of Tamil Nadu State

Tamil Nadu has 22,643 km2 of total protected area and ranks 14th among all Indian States. Major protected areas of Tamil Nadu include Biosphere reserves,National parks and Wildlife sanctuaries, Mudumalai National Park is the first Wildlife Sanctuary in South India. List of protected areas in Tamil Nadu State are as follows:

Biosphere Reserves

Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is a World Heritage Site and includes 4 national parks and 2 wildlife sanctuaries. The 3 Biosphere Reserves in Tamil Nadu are home to 100 species of mammals,31 amphibians,80 species of reptiles and 350 species of birds.

Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve has largest population of endangered lion tailed macaque and nilgiri tahr along with nilgiri langur and Indian leopard and black panther.

Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve
Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve
Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve

National Parks

Tamil Nadu has 5 declared National Parks and home to several endangered and vulnerable species. Amazing wild animal life in the parks includes 4 cat species, dhole,Indian spotted chevrotain and list of Asian pit vipers.

Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park around the coast of Tamil Nadu is part of Biosphere Reserve and has a high diversity of aquatic plants and marine mammals including Dugong and Green sea turtle.

Indira Gandhi National Park
Mudumalai National Park
Guindy National Park
Mukurthi National Park
Palani Hills National Park
Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park

Wildlife Sanctuaries

There are 8 wildlife sanctuaries in Tamil Nadu consisting of mainly dry deciduous and evergreen forest. Grassland of these wildlife sanctuaries are home to Grizzled giant squirrel,Nilgiri tahr, Indian flying squirrel,black panther and wild dhole dog.

Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary
Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary
Mundanthurai Sanctuary
Kalakkad Wildlife Sanctuary
Kanyakumari Wildlife Sanctuary
Vallanadu Wildlife Sanctuary
Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary
Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary

Elephant Reserves

Tamil Nadu has 5 elephant sanctuaries and 19 elephant corridors, linking to other sanctuaries in Karnataka and Kerala. Total population of Indian Elephants in Tamil Nadu is 6776 as per 2005 wildlife survey.

Nilgiri Elephant Reserve
Coimbatore Elephant Reserve
Anamalai Elephant Reserve
Srivilliputtur Elephant Reserve

Tiger Reserves

Tamil Nadu has 4 tiger reserves which are part of Project Tiger, Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve is the largest wildlife sanctuary in Tamil Nadu. Total population of Bengal Tigers in Tamil Nadu is 76 as per 2010 wildlife survey.

Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve
Mudumalai Tiger Reserve
Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve
Anaimalai Parambikulam Tiger Reserve

Bird Sanctuaries

There are 13 declared bird sanctuaries in Tamil Nadu with many unique species of animals and birds including Waterbirds and Landbirds. These Sanctuaries are home to near threatened spot billed pelican,flamingos,spoon bills and painted stork.

Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary
Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary
Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary
Koothankulam Bird Sanctuary
Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary
Pulicat Lake Bird Sanctuary
Udayamarthandapuram Bird Sanctuary
Vaduvoor Bird Sanctuary
Vellode Birds Sanctuary
Viralimalai Peacock Sanctuary
Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary
Vettangudi Bird Sanctuary
Suchindram Theroor Birds Sanctuary

Tiruvidaimarudur Conservation Reserve

Tiruvidaimarudur Conservation Reserve is located 10 km from Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve and a protected bird nesting area. This reserve is home to many species of water birds such as little egrets, pond heron,Spot billed pelican and painted stork.