Nagarhole Park

Nagarhole National Park, which is also known as the Rajiv Gandhi National Park, is located between Coorg and Mysore district. Spread over an area of 643 square kilometres, this park protects the wildlife of Karnataka. The main trees that can be found in the park are rosewood, teak, sandalwood and silver oak. Dry deciduous forest is inhabited by Terminalia tomentosa, Tectonia grandis, Lagerstroemia lanceolata, Pterocarpus marsupium, Grewia tilaefolia, Dalbergia latifolia and Anogeissus latifolia.

Tiger, Indian bison or gaur and Asian elephants are the prominent species found inside the park. Other animals like jackals, grey mongoose, sloth bears, striped hyenas, spotted deer or chital, sambar and barking deer can also be spotted. Mammals including common palm civet, brown mongoose, striped-necked mongoose, black-naped hare and mouse deer inhabit the park. Visitors can spot Indian pangolin, red giant flying squirrel, Indian porcupine and Indian giant flying squirrel.  

This park is home to 270 species of birds, including the endangered oriental white-backed vulture, vulnerable lesser adjutant, greater spotted eagle and the Nilgiri wood-pigeon. Some of the threatened species, like darters, oriental white ibis, greater grey headed fish eagle and red headed vulture, can be found here. Endemic species like blue winged parakeet, Malabar grey hornbill and the white bellied treepie can also be spotted.