Kanha National Park situated in the state of Madhya Pradesh, spread over 940 square kilometers of impressive terrain. One of India's best wildlife sanctuary, the park is known for its plants and animals in full variety. Kanha is especially valued for its successful tiger reintroduction programs and conservation initiatives. From powerful hunters such as the Bengal tiger to rare and endangered barasinghas, nature enthusiasts and photographers can walk face-to-face with wonders of nature.
In this blog, we are going to discuss about the Wildlife in Kanha National Park, including some of the most spectacular species and habitats, with how to make a visit during the best time for an unforgettable safari.
When people think of Kanha National Park, the first animal that comes to mind is the Bengal tiger. Kanha is one of India’s most important tiger reserves, and spotting one of these amazing animals are the best part of any safari. The park’s dense forests and large grasslands offer the perfect habitat for tigers, making it one of the best places for tiger sightings in India.
Due to effective conservation efforts under Project Tiger, it is now possible to spot more number of tigers in Kanha. Individuals visiting the Kanha safari ,often hope to get a glimpse of those hard to find hunters. Ideally, tigers can be seen during early morning and late afternoon safaris when they are most active.
One of the standout species is barasingha in Kanha National Park, also known as the swamp deer. Once on the edge of extinction, Kanha’s conservation efforts have successfully saved their population. Today, Kanha is the only place in the world where you can see the hardground barasingha, making it a unique experience for visitors.
Barasinghas are often seen eating grass in the park’s open grassland, particularly in the grasslands of Mukki and Kisli zones. Their antlers can have up to 12 points, making them one of the most noticeable animals in the park.
While the tigers steal all the glory, there are free-roaming leopard in Kanha National Park. At a distance, they do not look like much of an animal but rather a shadow. As leopards are mostly solitary and always reside in the shadows of the dense forests, a view of the leopards is not easy to come by. If you are lucky, you may spot a glimpse of a leopard on a tree branch or stalking prey near water bodies.
Leopards are very flexible, and their hunting capabilities are tremendous. They can hunt smaller prey items like spotted deer, wild boar, and langur by capturing them using their extraordinary senses and fantastic speed of movements. The park's hilly terrain in the Bamni Dadar region is an excellent area for those hoping to spot leopards.
Besides the tigers and leopards, there are many more predators in Kanha National Park. The Indian wild dog, or dhole, is another of the predators that can be seen in the park. Wild dogs are pack hunters, commonly hunting deer and wild boar. Given their much smaller size than their cousins, the big cats, wild dogs are very efficient predators and known for teamwork.
The Indian wolf, though rare, is another predator found in Kanha. While sightings are uncommon, these wolves roam the park’s open grasslands and scrub forests, preying on smaller mammals and birds.
Kanha’s grasslands and forests are home to many herbivorous that form the prey base for its predators. The most commonly seen herbivores in the park include:
Chital: Kanha has many species of chital , which are one of the mainly populated species in several grasslands and at the edges of forests.
Sambar Deer: These deer are large and maintain a more shy life than the spotted deer. They also are relatively susceptible to attack by tigers, more for their long antlers.
Indian Bison (Gaur): The gaur is one of the largest bovine species housed within the sanctuary. These animals weigh as much as a ton and are usually found grazing in herds around the water sources.
These herbivores play a critical role in maintaining the park's ecological balance; they support the park's predator population.
While the mammals grab the limelight at Kanha, it is also a heaven for bird-lovers too; there are over 300 species of birds which can be seen here. The avifauna diversity here-from bright colors of kingfishers and Indian rollers to eagles and vultures-is simply exceptional.
Some of the notable bird species in Kanha include:
Indian Peafowl: India’s national bird, often seen displaying its vibrant feathers.
Crested Serpent Eagle: A powerful raptor frequently seen soaring high above the forests.
Malabar Pied Hornbill: Malabar Pied Hornbill is a rare and unique species occasionally spotted in the park’s dense forests.
Winter is the best season for birdwatching, from November to February, when migratory birds flock to the park.
Apart from these two, Kanha also has a rich fauna of reptiles and amphibians. However, fewer species of those are regularly spotted. Among some of the significant reptile species of Kanha National Park are as follows:
Indian Rock Python: These are large, nonvenomous snakes, which can be commonly seen along water bodies or basking in the sun.
Monitor Lizard: The monitor lizards seen staying in grasslands and forests within the park are usually large, rather grey in color, and rather big.
Crocodiles: Marsh crocodiles are sometimes spotted in the park's lakes and rivers.
These species hold very important places in the park's food chain and, therefore, contribute to the overall biodiversity of Kanha National Park.
Known also for its conservation efforts, Kanha National Park offers high diversity and nearly 400 barasingha brought back from being forgotten. It falls under the umbrella of India's Project Tiger, which focuses on the good health of tigers and their habitats as well. Strict anti-poaching laws, habitat restoration, and dedicated wildlife corridors have all ensured that this wild animal survives at Kanha National Park.
During their safari, visitors are made to engage in ecotourism practices that helps to preserve the natural environment and residents of the park.
Accommodation is a significant part of the safari experience. Kanha provides many options for stays, from luxury resorts to comfortable eco-friendly lodges-all a stone's throw away from the gates of the park. If you want to stay in one of the best resort in Kanha National Park, maybe you should consider Wildmark Resort, providing modern amenities but still something of a rough touch, for which reason it is also perfectly easy to head out for early morning safaris and return to a relaxing ambiance after a day of adventure. And to know more about it, log on to our exclusive Kanha National Park resort. Your trip is sure to be worth remembering now.
Indeed, this place is unique, as it has exclusive ranges of animals and plants. Rare barasingha sightings and elusiveness of Bengal tigers give way to the most iconic species of wildlife ever seen in India. Vibrant birdlife and breath-taking landscapes make this a photographer's haven for any nature lover. Whether you are a first-timer or coming back for another roller coaster ride, Kanha promises an exciting Kanha jungle safari where you can find the resurrection of these creatures in their natural habitats. A stay in one of the best resorts near Kanha National Park will ensure that your trip is comfortable yet exciting, with easy early morning safari opportunities and relaxation after a day of exploration. You can browse through various Kanha jungle safari packages that offer special deals and tailor-made packages for wildlife enthusiasts only to get the best out of your visit.
1.Are there leopards in Kanha National Park?
Kanha Tiger Reserve hosts populations of Bengal tiger, Indian leopard, dhole, sloth bear, Bengal fox and Indian jackal
.2.Which animal is famous in Kanha?
This park is mostly renowned as the “Tiger Reserve” due to the significant amount of population of tigers in the Kanha land.
3.What is special in Kanha?
Hard Ground Swamp Deer or Barasingha.
4.What attracts the tourists at Kanha?
Tigers and more wildlife.