Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary
Facts and practical information
The Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary in Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala, India. It consists of the catchment area of the Karamana River, which originates from Chemmunjimottai, the tallest hill within the sanctuary. The sanctuary is named after the Peppara Dam, commissioned in 1983 to augment the drinking water supply to Thiruvananthapuram city and suburban areas. Considering the ecological significance of the area, it was declared a sanctuary in 1983. The terrain is undulating with elevation ranging from 100 m to 1717 m. The area of the sanctuary is 75 km2 with tropical moist evergreen forests and myristica swamps. It is part of the Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve. Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary is 44 kilometres by car from the nearest railway station, at Thiruvananthapuram, and 49 kilometres from the Thiruvananthapuram airport. ()
Best Ways to Experience the Park
Wildlife
AnimalsSee what popular animal species you can meet in this location.
Bengal tiger
The Bengal tiger, scientifically known as *Panthera tigris tigris*, is indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. Regrettably, these majestic creatures face significant threats such as poaching, habitat loss, and fragmentation.
Mammals
Sloth bear
The sloth bear, native to the Indian subcontinent, is a fascinating species known for its diet of fruits, ants, and termites. Sadly, it’s listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List due to habitat loss and degradation.
Mammals
Sambar deer
The sambar is a large deer species native to the Indian subcontinent, South China, and Southeast Asia. Since 2008, it has been listed as a vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List, primarily due to hunting, insurgency, and habitat destruction.
Mammals
Indian elephant
The Indian elephant, a subspecies of the Asian elephant, is native to mainland Asia and is currently listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List due to a significant decline in its wild population. Indian elephants are smaller than their African counterparts and have...
Mammals
Nilgiri tahr
The Nilgiri tahr is a distinctive ungulate species endemic to the Nilgiri Hills and the Western and Eastern Ghats of Tamil Nadu and Kerala in India. Despite its local name, this animal is more closely related to sheep than to ibex or wild goats.
Mammals
Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)
Nearby attractions include: Pothigai.
Kerala