Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary

Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary Latest News

Karnataka to Soft-Release Captured Elephants into Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary.

About Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary 

• Location: Spread across the Chikkamagaluru and Shivamogga districts of Karnataka. Named after the Bhadra River, which flows through the sanctuary.
• Designation:
  • Declared a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1951.
  • Became a Project Tiger Reserve in 1998.
  • First tiger reserve in India to complete a village relocation program by 2002.
• Size & Terrain:
  • Core area: 500.16 sq. km.
  • Buffer zone: 571.84 sq. km.
  • Hills and valleys include the Mullayanagiri (the highest peak in Karnataka), Baba Budangiri, and Muthodi ranges.

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Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary Flora

• Types of Forests:
  • Southern Moist Mixed Deciduous Forests: Dominated by Teak, Terminalia, and Lagerstroemia species.
  • Dry Deciduous Forests: Includes Pterocarpus (Honne), Grewia (Tadasalu), and Bamboo species.
  • Shola Forests: Home to Cinnamon, Mimusops, and Strobilanthes species (Neelakurinji).

Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary Fauna

• Mammals: Tigers, leopards, dholes (wild dogs), gaurs, sambar deer, barking deer, elephants.
• Birds: Over 250 species, including Grey Junglefowl, Malabar Parakeet, Hill Myna, Malabar Trogon, and Hornbills.
• Reptiles: King Cobra, Russell’s Viper, Indian Monitor Lizard, and Marsh Crocodiles.
• Butterflies: Yamfly, Baronet, Crimson Rose, Southern Birdwing, and Great Orange Tip.

 How Will the Soft-Release Work?

• Enclosure Setup: A 20 sq. km enclosure will be created using railway barricades.
  • The site is carefully selected based on water availability, forage, road connectivity, and minimal human activity.
• Monitoring Phase: Elephants will be kept in the enclosure for a few months under veterinary supervision.
  • Medical assistance (e.g., medicine darts) will be provided when needed.
  • No human interaction will occur during this period to help elephants readjust to the wild.
• Final Release: Once the elephants adapt, the gate to the forest will be opened, allowing them to join the existing population in Bhadra.

Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary FAQs

Q1. Where is Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary located?

Ans. Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Chikkamagaluru and Shivamogga districts of Karnataka, India.

Q2. When was Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary established?

Ans. It was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1974 and later upgraded to a Tiger Reserve in 1998 under Project Tiger.

Q3. Which major rivers flow through the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary?

Ans. The Bhadra River, a tributary of the Tunga River, originates within the sanctuary.

Source: TH