Indian Wildlife

When most people think of Indian wildlife they instantly think “TIGER.” Whilst these beautiful cats are the main draw for tourists there is plenty of other wildlife to keep you interested whilst you wait for the “striped gentleman” to reveal himself.

Leopards can be seen throughout India but to catch a glimpse of a snow leopard or clouded leopard you would have to head for the mountains of Ladakh, Kashmir or into Nepal.

The Asiatic Lion, a shaggier version of its African cousin, can only be seen in the Gir Forest in Gujurat in western India. This state is also the home to two other rare mammals, the Blackbuck ( at Velavadar Reserve, 240km north east of Gir) and the Asiatic Wild Ass ( at Dhrangadhra Sanctuary in the Little Rann of Kutch.)

As well as the Blackbuck being unique to the Indian subcontinent, there is also the Chausingha ( four horned antelope,) the Nilgai ( Blue Bull) and the sloth bear. The sloth bear is quite difficult to spot given its nocturnal nature but there is a chance in the main parks. There is also a rehabilitation centre for bears just outside Agra where dancing bears and mistreated bears rescued by the charity Wildlife SOS, www.wildlifesos.org are taken to recover. They have another bear sanctuary in Bangalore and a leopard rescue centre in Maharashtra.

Wild dogs can be seen roaming the grasslands of Kanha and this national park in Madhya Pradesh is now the main location to see Barasingha, the swamp deer pushed to the edge of extinction.

Another symbol of India is the Asian elephant which can be seen throughout India plodding through the streets scattering auto rickshaws in its path! You have a good chance to see them in the wild in Kerala ( Periyar) and Karnataka (Nagarole) in the south and in the north at Corbett and Assam.

Kaziranga National Park in Assam, as well as being the home to wild elephant is also famous for its one horned Rhinoceros population and wild water buffalo. It is also a fantastic place to see wetland birds, an alternative location to visiting Keoladeo in Bharatpur in Rajasthan.

India is a bird watcher’s paradise, whether it is in the foothills of the Himalayas, the central parks of Madhya Pradesh, the expanse of the Thar Desert and Rajasthan or the Western Ghats and Nilgiri Hills of the south. One estimate suggests there are 1250 bird species, around 12% on the world population.

If marine life appeals it is possible to see gharials and Gangetic dolphins in the Chambal river just outside Agra, with fantastic birdwatching too and makes a quiet excursion from the Golden Triangle. Another interesting place to visit is the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust on the south east coast of India where you can also do field trips with the Irula snake catchers.

For a final “hands on” wildlife idea why not get down and dirty at the Agumbe Rainforest Research Station in Karnataka in south India. It was set up 6 years ago to research the King Cobra which thrives in this part of India. It is a real working field station so don’t expect 5 star treatment but does offer the opportunity to learn about various aspects of the rainforest first hand. It can easily be incorporated into a tour of Karnataka and Kerala, British Airways fly directly into Bangalore.

If you have a desire to see any of these animals or create a tailor made Indian wildlife adventure of your own; Contact us on 0141 535 2418 and we will be happy to help. Or come and chat to LYNN STEWART at: Wildlife Expo October 14 and 15 at Alexandra Palace Destinations Shows Manchester January 19-22 at Event City London February 2-5 at Earls Court, she will be happy to help.