Srivilliputhur
Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary
Srivilliputhur
Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary was declared in December 1989.
This Sanctuary is located in the Western Ghats and covers the area
of Srivilliputhur, Watrap, Saptur (Madurai district), Rajapalayam,
Seithur, and Devathanam. It is the eastern boundary for the river
Periyar and one of the best-preserved forests in the south of
Tamilnadu state. The altitude in this region varies from 100 to 2010
meter above sea level. It receives rain from both southwest and
northeast monsoons. The varied climate and topographic conditions
prevailing here present remarkable diversity both in Flora and
Fauna.
The
Grizzled Squirrel (Ratufa macroura) –flagship species of this
sanctuary is highly restricted to south India and Sri Lanka. Ratufa
macroura dandolena is distinctive in having the dorsal surface and
tail grey or brownish grey more or less grizzled with white. It
breeds once a year, producing a single offspring. The distribution
of the Grizzled Squirrels is restricted to seven isolated riparian
dry deciduous forests in the Sanctuary.
The
sanctuary is inhabited by extremely rich and diverse fauna. Over 200
species of avifauna have been reported from this sanctuary that
includes some rare birds such as the Red-faced Malkoha, Nilgiri
Flycatcher and Malayan Night Heron. The Great Pied Hornbill is well
and widely distributed in the Sanctuary The main raptors are the
Serpent Eagle, Hawks, and Black Eagle. The Sanctuary has 18 species
of snakes, 15 species of lizards, over 10 species of amphibians and
over 56 species of butterflies now.
There
is a wide range of animals can be seen in the Grizzled Squirrel
Sanctuary. Resident and migrating elephants are common. The other
important animals are Tiger, Leopard, Gaur, Nilgiri tahr, Spotted
deer, Barking deer, Sambar, Wild-boar, Porcupine, Nilgiri langur,
Lion-tailed macaque, Common langur, Slender lorris, Bonnet
macaque, Sloth bear, Indian Giant Squirrel, and Flying Squirrel.
There is a rest house in the place called “Mudaliar Oothu”, where
you can see the Nilgiri Tahr, elephants, wild pig, spotted Deer,
sambhar, Barking Deer and panther.
The sanctuary can be visited throughout the year. For more detail,
you can contact wildlife warden, Srivilliputhur Grizzled Squirrel
Wildlife Sanctuary, Srivillipputhur -626125.
References:
http://www.forests.tn.nic.in/wildbiodiversity/ws_sgsws.html
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Srivilliputhur Megamalai Tiger Reserve
Government
have recently announced the creation of Srivilliputhur Megamalai
Tiger Reserve by combining Srivilliputhur Grizzled Giant Squirrel
Sanctuary and Megamalai Wildlife Sanctuary. It is the 51st tiger
reserve in India and the 5th tiger reserve in the Tamilnadu state.