Tamil Nadu Wildlife Sancturay

Mudumali
In the luxuriantly forested foothills of the Nilgiris,this 321 sq km sanctuary is part of a much larger reserve (3000 sq km) which includes Bandipur and Wynad in neighbouring Karnataka and Kerala. The larger reserve range in vegetation from semi-evergreen forests to swamps and grasslands. In Mudumalai, the mostly dense forest is home to chital (spotted deer), gaur ( Indian bison), tiger, panther, wild boar and sloth bear. Otters and crocodiles inhabit the Moyar River. The Park's wild elephant population, one of the largest in the country, supposedly numbers about 600, however you're more likely to see their domesticated brethren carrying out logging duties.

The best time to visit Mudumalai is between February and June. Heavy rain is common in October and November and the park may be closed during the dry season. From February to March.

Anamalai
This is one of the three wildlife sanctuaries on the slopes of the western Ghats along the border between Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Though recently renamed the Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary, most people still refer to it by its original name. It covers almost 1000 sq km and is home to elephant, gaur (Indian bison), tiger, panther, spotted deer, wild boar, bear, porcupine and civet cat. The Nilgiri tahr, commonly known as ibex, can also be spotted as can many birds. In the heart of this beautiful forested region is the Parmbikulam Dam which has formed an immense plain of water that dpreads way into Kerala. The rights to this water used mainly for irrigation and energy purpose in Tamil Nadu are the source of one of the area's bitter disputes.

Calimere
It is also known as Kodikkarai, this coastal sanctuary is 90 km south-east of Thanjavur in a wetland which juts out into the Palk Strait separating India and Sri Lanka. It is noted for the vast flocks of migratory water fowl, especially flamingos, which congregate here every winter.

Best Time To Visit is between November and January when the tidal mud flats and marshes are covered with teals, shovellers, curlews, gulls, terns, plovers, sandpipers, shanks, herons and up to 3000 flamingoes at one time. In the spring, a different set of birds-Koels, mynas and barbets are drawn here by the profusion of wild berries. Black buck, spotted deer and wild pig also congregate here. From April to June there's very little activity; the main rainy season is between October and December.

Vedantangal
About 35 km south of Chengalpattu, this is one of the most spectacular water-bird breeding grounds in India. Cormorants, egrets, herons, storks, ibises, spoonbills, grebes and pelicans come here to breed and nest for about six months from October/November to March, depending on the monsoons. At the height of the breeding season, there can be up to 30,000 birds at once. The best times to visit are early morning and late afternoon.