MUDUMALAI WILD LIFE SANCTUARY

wildlife preserve in Tamil Nadu state, southern India, established in 1940. It has an area of 124 square miles (322 square km) and is located about 35 miles (56 km) north of Ootacamund on the main road to Mysore city. The sanctuary is composed of hills and valleys with several perennial streams and swamps. The thick jungle growth of teak, rosewood, laurel, and bamboo provides cover for the elephant, gaur (Indian bison), tiger, black leopard, sloth bear, hyena, jackal, wild pig, python, gray jungle fowl, spur fowl, and golden eagle found in the preserve. The preserve has a network of fair-weather tracks, observation towers overlooking salt licks and water holes, and riding elephants for transport.