Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary in Coorg

Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary:

Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary: (Area ( Sq kms ) - 92.65 km², Vegetation - Evergreen and Semi-Evergreen) Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Somwarpet taluk of Kodagu district in southern Karnataka. It is noted as one of the important bird areas of the world and home to rare and endangered bird life. It is spread over 102 Kms. The sanctuary adjoins Bisle reserve forest to the north and Kukke Subramanya forest range to the west. The topography is marked by steep terrains with waterfalls along its many mountain streams. Several swamps are also present in this sanctuary. The altitude of the sanctuary varies from 160 to 1712 Mts, Pushpagiri peak is the highest in the northern side. The sanctuary is one of the largest areas of tropical evergreen forests in Karnataka with nearly 70% of the sanctuary covered with forests. Pushpagiri has dense evergreen and semi-evergreen vegetation, with shola forests and grasslands in areas of higher elevation. Indian Wild Dog, Brown Palm Civet, Indian Giant Squirrel, Indian Hare, Spotted Deer, Sambar, Indian Muntjac, Gaur, Asian Elephant, Wild Pig, Giant Flying Squirrel, Travancore Flying, Otter species, Stripe-necked mongoose and mouse deer are some of the animal species found here. Three species of primates found here are common langur, bonnet macaque and lion-tailed macaque Recognized as an Important bird Area the sanctuary has a rich diversity of birds  like the Nilgiri wood-pigeon and Near threatened species like grey-breasted laughing thrush, black and orange flycatcher and Nilgiri flycatcher  are found in this sanctuary. You can also spot birds like the blue-winged parakeet, grey-headed bulbul, Malabar grey hornbill, white-bellied blue flycatcher and small sunbird. Reptiles commonly seen in this sanctuary include, common cobra, Indian rock python, rat snake, olive keelback, king cobra and bamboo pit viper