Talacauvery Wildlife Sanctuary

About Talacauvery Wildlife Sanctuary

• Talacauvery Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Kodagu district of Karnataka. 
  • It borders the Ranipuram and Kottencheri hills of Kasaragod district in Kerala.
• Establishment Year: It was declared a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1987. 
• Area: It is spread over about 105.01 sq. km.
• River associated: It is named after Talakaveri, the origin of the Cauvery River, which lies on the eastern edge of the sanctuary. 
  • The origin of the River Cauvery is a place of religious importance for the people of Kodagu. 
• Vegetation: It consists mainly of tropical dense evergreen and semi-evergreen forest with a unique shola ecosystem.
  • A few coffee and cardamom plantations are also located within the sanctuary. 
• Flora: Artocarpus lakoocha, Mesua ferrea, Pallaquim ellipticum, Dysoxylum malabaricum, Hopea parviflora and Dipterocarpus indicus  etc are found here. 
  • Cane, bamboo and shrubs such as Strobilanthes, Leea sambucina and Pandanus are also found.
• Fauna: The sanctuary is home to endangered species such as Tiger, Asiatic Elephant, Malabar Civet, Gaur, Sambar, Barking Deer and Lion-tailed Macaque.
  • Other notable species include Slender Loris, Brown Palm Civet, Leopard Cat, Nilgiri Marten, Wild Dog, Travancore Flying Squirrel, King Cobra and Indian Rock Python.
  • Birds: The sanctuary is an Important Bird Area in the Western Ghats, hosting endemic species such as Malabar Pied Hornbill, Malabar Trogon, Malabar Whistling Thrush and Nilgiri Flycatcher.
  • Butterflies: It also harbours endemic and endangered butterflies, including Malabar Banded Peacock, Paris Peacock, Malabar Raven and Malabar Banded Swallowtail.