Bandhipur National Park

History & Overview

These forests are contiguous with Nagarhole, Wayanad and Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, hence providing safe haven for a number of species – notably the Indian Elephant and Royal Bengal Tiger. Once a private Hunting Reserve for the Maharajas of Mysore, this landscape is now part of the Nilgiri Biosphere reserve – one of India’s conservation success stories.

The habitat of Bandipur is dominated by Dry Deciduous Forests along with Dry Deciduous Scrub, Mixed Forest as well as Moist Deciduous Forest. The open-ness of the park provides for huge Elephant herds and one of the last strongholds of the Indian Wild Dogs – the extremely intelligent pack hunters of the Indian Forest.

The Kabini River separates Bandipur from Nagarhole, yet the denizens are able to traverse freely between the 2 parks when the water levels recede. The elusive Black(melanistic) Leopard has been spotted here on more than one occasion, and it is believed that there are multiple individuals living inside the park.