Kali Tiger Reserve
The foresters at Kali Tiger Reserve near Dandeli in the Uttara Kannada district in Karnataka were up for a surprise when they sighted and recorded the presence of a striped hyena (locally called katte kiruba).
About Kali Tiger Reserve
Kali Tiger Reserve is a protected area and UNESCO World Heritage site located in the Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka, India. Formerly known as the Dandeli-Anshi Tiger Reserve, it was renamed in 2015 after the Kali River, which is the lifeline of the reserve's ecosystem.
Geography and ecosystem
- The reserve is situated in the Western Ghats, a global biodiversity hotspot.
- It is composed of the Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary and Anshi National Park, creating a contiguous protected area spanning over 1,300 square kilometers.
- The terrain is hilly, with the Kali River and its tributaries carving through deep valleys.
- The forests are a mix of North Western Ghats moist deciduous and montane rain forests, both considered endangered ecoregions by the WWF.
Flora and fauna
The reserve's dense and moist forests support a rich variety of wildlife:
- Animals: The reserve is home to Bengal tigers, black panthers, Indian elephants, Indian bison (gaur), leopards, wild dogs, sloth bears, and a variety of deer, including sambar, spotted deer, and barking deer.
- Birds: With nearly 200 recorded species, the reserve is a paradise for birdwatchers. Notable birds include the great hornbill, Malabar pied hornbill, Malabar grey hornbill, and other vibrant species.
- Reptiles: Monitor lizards, king cobras, Indian rock pythons, and several viper species can be found here.
- Flora: The forests boast a high diversity of plant life, including teak, bamboo, silver oak, and various medicinal plants.
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