This atlas is in beta. I am still checking facts, ranges, and species lists, so some of it may be wrong or incomplete. It is here early so these places get seen. If you spot an error, write to me.
Anamalai Tiger Reserve
BetaA Western Ghats tiger reserve of rainforest and shola grassland, home to the lion-tailed macaque and Nilgiri tahr.
Why this place matters
Important Western Ghats tiger reserve within the Nilgiri biosphere complex, conserving evergreen to deciduous gradients, endemic primates and Nilgiri tahr while buffering intensively cultivated plantation belts.
The wildlife
TigerENEndangeredWestern Ghats tiger population using the evergreen and moist deciduous forest blocks of the Anamalai Hills.
Asian ElephantENEndangeredLarge herds move between forest and plantation mosaics.
Lion-tailed MacaqueENEndangeredEndemic primate of mid- to high-elevation evergreen forests.
Nilgiri TahrCliff-dwelling endemic ungulate in high rocky grasslands.
The wider field list, with current IUCN Red List status.
Mammals
- Asian elephantElephas maximusENEndangered
- Bengal tigerPanthera tigris tigrisENEndangered
Gaur (Indian bison)Bos gaurusVUVulnerable- Lion-tailed macaqueMacaca silenusENEndangered
Sambar deerRusa unicolorVUVulnerable
Hanuman langurSemnopithecus entellusLCLeast Concern
Indian giant squirrelRatufa indicaLCLeast Concern
Indian leopardPanthera pardus fuscaNTNear Threatened- Tahr
Birds
Great hornbillBuceros bicornisVUVulnerable
Malabar trogonHarpactes fasciatusLCLeast Concern
Songbird
Reptiles
King cobraOphiophagus hannahVUVulnerable
Mugger crocodileCrocodylus palustrisVUVulnerable
Bengal monitorVaranus bengalensisNTNear Threatened
Notable birds include Great Hornbill, Malabar Grey Hornbill, Nilgiri Flycatcher and Grey-headed Bulbul. Reptiles include King Cobra, Marsh Crocodile and Monitor Lizard.
Plan your visit
Post-monsoon months provide lush evergreen forest conditions and waterfalls; the drier months improve trail access and visibility along forest edges and plantations.
- Zones
- Topslip tourism zone and adjacent forest ranges within Anamalai TR
- Safari
- jeep and bus safaris run by the Forest Department, plus guided treks in designated areas
- Typical sightings
- Elephants and gaurs along forest roads and clearings, lion-tailed macaques and Nilgiri langurs in the canopy, occasional tiger and leopard sign.
- Light and terrain
- Evergreen canopies create low-light conditions; estate edges and higher viewpoints offer more open light and sweeping landscapes.
- Hides
- Some viewpoints and watchtowers; no widely advertised public photographic hides.
- Good to know
- Entry only with permits and authorised vehicles or guides; some internal roads reserved for management.