The Mudumalai National Park or Wildlife Sanctuary was the first sanctuary in South India, established in 1940. It covers an area of 321km² at the tri-junction of the three Southern states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka.
It is an important habitat due to its strategic position as a wildlife corridor between several other protected areas. Its north is being crusted with Bandipur National Park and Nagarhole National park, its west is the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, and along the south corner is flourished with Mukurthi National Park and Silent Valley National Park. It has an elevation of 800 to 1000m above mean sea level (AMSL) and is divided into 5 ranges-Masinagudi, Thepakadu, Mudumalai, Kargudi, and Nellakota.
Vegetation
Mudumalai Reserve has the following types of forests
- Tropical moist deciduous forest
- Tropical dry deciduous first
- Tropical dry thorn forest
- Tropical semi-evergreen forest
Wildlife at Mudumalai
The mammals:
The major wildlife in the Mudumalai National Park includes the Asian elephant, Tiger, Leopard, Gaur, Hyena, Jackal, Sloth bear, Sambar(the largest deer species found in India), Chital, Muntjac, Mouse deer(smallest hoofed mammals in the world), Wild boar, Stripe-necked mongoose, Nilgiri tahr (adjoining areas), porcupine, giant flying squirrel, bonner maccaque, barking deer, four-horned antelope, otter and langurs.
The birds:
Around 8 per cent of the bird species in India can be found in Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary.
The major birds found in the Mudumalai National Park include crested hawk eagles, crested serpent eagles, Malabar trogon, Malabar whistling thrush, large racket-tailed dragons, spotted babbler, green pigeons, brown doves, Malabar grey hornbill, parakeets, bulbuls, cuckoons, hornbills, scop owls, black woodpecker, mynas, barbets, buzzards, harriers, falcons, king vultures, Indian white-rumped vulture and long bullied vulture.
The Reptiles:
The reptile population in the Mudumalai National Park mainly consists of the crocodiles and pythons. Common krait and bamboo pit snake are the other major reptiles in the park.
Others:
The park also supports a variety of turtles, frogs and amphibians.