Nestled amidst the stunning topography of the southern Western Ghats, Shenbagathoppu Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the vibrant state of Tamil Nadu and is shared between the districts of Virudhanagar and Madurai. Established in the year 1989 as a reserved forest for the protection of the rare Grizzled Squirrels, the sanctuary is also known as Srivilliputhur Wildlife Sanctuary and is spread in an expansive area of 485 square kilometers.
The sanctuary attracts a horde of visitors throughout the year with its exotic wildlife species and beautiful diaspora of floral plants. The other highlight is that the sanctuary shares its boundary with Periyar Tiger Reserve which offers the visitors a glimpse of some other wildlife species as well. Some of the rivers and streams such as Naragaiar, Periyar, Pachaiar, Kovilar, Mangar, and Pairakudrair flow through the sanctuary and provide the necessary source of life for the flora and fauna to thrive. The landscape of the sanctuary is also enhanced by the presence of several peaks and hills in its premises, some of which reach a height of 1800m in altitude. The dense foliage of flora is fed by several water sources inside the sanctuary that withstand its ecology.
The sanctuary has a diverse habitat ranging from the higher elevation Upper Montane forests and grasslands, mid-elevation Wet Evergreen, Semi-Evergreen, Moist Deciduous, Open Deciduous, Closed Deciduous forests, and grasslands with scrub jungles and the foothills. The flora is extremely rich and healthy owning to the distinct forest formations due to the altitudinal incline and rainfall patterns. The place has a wide-ranging fauna, 200 species of avifauna, 18 species of snakes, 15 lizard species, 10 amphibian species, and 56 species of butterflies. The sanctuary can be visited throughout the year to spot several wildlife species with one rest house inside the premises to see the spectacular NilgiriTahr.
The forests of this sanctuary comprise of a terrestrial combination of tropical evergreen forest, semi evergreen forest, dry deciduous forest, moist mixed deciduous forest, grasslands and cultivated land. Several medicinal plants are also found here.
Mammals: Grizzled Giant Squirrel, Barking Deer, Bonnet Macaque, Elephants, Common Langur, Flying Squirrel, Indian Giant Squirrel, Leopard, Gaur, Lion-Tailed Macaques, Mouse Deer, Palm Civets, Nilgiri Langur, NilgiriTahr, Porcupine, Slender Lorris, Sambar, Sloth Bear, Tree Shrews, Spotted Deer, Wild Cats, and Wild Boar.
Birds: Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Long-Billed Vulture, Oriental White-Backed Vulture, Nilgiri Wood-Pigeon, Red-Faced Malkoha, Broad-Tailed Grass Warbler, Great Pied Hornbill, White-Bellied Shortwing, Nilgiri Flycatcher, Nilgiri Pipit, Black and Orange Flycatcher, Black Eagle, Malayan Night Heron, Serpent Eagle, Blue-capped Rock-thrush, and Steppe Eagle.
Reptiles: Indian Rock Python, Pit Viper, King Cobra, Gliding Lizard, Ornate Flying Snake, Large-Scaled Calotes, Micrixalus, CalotesEllioti, Ramanella, Raorchestes, and Pseudophilautus.
The climate at Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary is warm and extremely humid throughout the year. The temperature and humidity may vary between altitudes but the general temperature during the summers ranges between 27 degrees Celsius to 40 degrees Celsius. During the winters, the temperature ranges from 20 to 30 degrees Celsius. The monsoons bring with them heavy showers and the weather gets very humid.
The wildlife sanctuary can be visited any time of the year as the temperature is same through the year except for some slight variations at night during the winters. Still, if you do not wish to wander in the scorching heat, then avoid the months of April and May as these are the hottest.
Nearest Train Station: The most reliable railhead is in Madurai which is approachable from all the major cities of the country on daily basis. The closest railway station from the sanctuary is in Virudhanagar.
Nearest Airport: The closest airport from the wildlife sanctuary is in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, from where local transport can be availed to reach the sanctuary’s premises.
Road Accessibility : The sanctuary is well-connected by road as well. The outskirts of the sanctuary are connected by NH41, NH44, and NH186.
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