Mudumalai Sanctuary located where the Nilagiri Hills, the offshoot of the Wetern ghats meet the eastern ghats. The Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary has varied mixture of flat land, undulating parkland, open grassland, swamp, valleys and nullas. The Mayyar river in this region forms a series of spectacular cascades on its way 65 kms away from Udhagamandalam - Mysore highway, this sanctuary could be reached from Mysore as well.

This 321 sq kms wide sanctuary encompasses a National Park measuring are of 103 sq kms. The vegetation is varied. The hilly terrain of the Western Ghats, clothed in dense mixed and moist deciduous forests, make Mudumalai (the ancient hills) a most attractive wildlife reserve. The Mysore-Ooty highway runs through the Park, following the course of the Moyar River, which separates Mudumalai from Bandipur.

The fauna includes Elephant, Gaur, Bonnet, Macaque, Common langur, Tigers and Leopards, Chital, Dhole Panther, Sloth Bear, Python, Barking deer, Four-Hourned- Antelope, Otter, Crocodiles (mugger), giant flying squirrel, Sambhar, Hyena, Wild Dog, Wild Boar, Mouse Deer, Spotted Deer, Jackal, Hare, Porcupine and Mangoose.

The Birds listed in this sanctuary are peacock-our national bird, grey jungle fowl, Malabar whistling thrush, large racket-tailed dronge, the shama, the magpie-robin, spotted babbler, small green barbet, greemn pigeons, little brown dove, malabar grey hornbill, bulbuls, mynahs etc. Among birds of prey, eagles, hawks, buzzards, harriers, falcons and king vulture are predominant, berdies some migratory water birds.

The sanctuary was closed from March 12 last, following dry conditions and considering the risk factor of wildlife coming out in search of water, posing danger to tourists. Due to good rainfall in the area, the forest department today decided to reopen the sanctuary for the public, official sources said.

For more details call Reception Range Office, Theppakadu, Mudumalai. Tel - 0423-244098. - Agencies

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