Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, Mudumalai, Tamil Nadu India

The Mudumalai National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary also a declared Tiger Reserve, lies on the northwestern side of the Nilgiri Hills (Blue Mountains), in Nilgiri District, about 150 km (93 mi) north-west of Coimbatore city in Kongu Nadu region of Tamil Nadu. It shares its boundaries with the states of Karnataka and Kerala. The sanctuary is divided into 5 ranges – Masinagudi, Thepakadu, Mudumalai, Kargudi and Nellakota.

The protected area is home to several endangered and vulnerable species dinging Indian elephant, Bengal Tiger, Gaur and Indian Leopard. There are at least 266 species of birds in the sanctuary, including critically endangered Indian White-rumped Vulture and long-billed vulture.

The Western Ghats, Nilgiri Sub-Cluster (6,000 km² (2,300 sq mi)), including all of Mudumalai National Park, is under consideration by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee for selection as a World Heritage Site.

Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary & National Park is situated at the tri-junction of the three southern states of Tamilnadu, Kerala, and Karnataka. Mudumalai wildlife reserve is a continuation of the Bandipur National Park.
It was the first sanctuary in South India and established in the year 1940. It covers an area of 321 Sq. Km. comprising of pristine tropical wilderness. The place is rich in its bio-diversity especially the avifauna (Birds). The river Moyar that flows along the border or Tamil Nadu and Karnataka separates the two. The Mysore - Ooty highway runs through the park. Mudumalai forest attracts a large number of wildlife enthusiasts every year, coming from all over the planet. To accommodate the increasing number of tourists, the Indian Forest Department located in Mudumalai National Park created many wildlife resorts and forest lodges situated in Mudumalai forest itself.

It is included as part of the Nilgiri Bio-sphere reserve which is the first of its kind to be declared as a bio-sphere reserve in the country. A variety of habitats ranging from Tropical Evergreen forest, Moist mixed deciduous, Moist Teak forest, Dry teak forest, Secondary grass lands, Shrubs and Swamps exists here. The bird diversity in these habitats is unbelievably rich and is a welcoming place for bird watchers from far and wide. This park harbours over 200 species of birds from 48 families and is one of the richest bird areas in the State of Tamilnadu. Some of the rarely seen Birds of prey like the rufous bellied hawk eagle can be occasionally seen in this sanctuary. Nights are fascinating especially during the month of April, when the whole sanctuary is illuminated with millions of glow worms.