Seven Iconic Wild Animals Found In Karnataka And Where To See Them

Karnataka has a rich natural heritage. Its Western Ghats ecoregion is a biodiversity hotspot with many endemic species. From large majestic mammals like tigers and elephants to beautiful, venomous snakes like king cobras and Malabar pit viper, to the magnificent lion-tailed macaques to vibrant birds and butterflies, and more - Karnataka's wilds are brimming with all forms of life. So, here are seven of the most iconic animals from Karnataka:

Lion-tailed Macaque

A lion-tailed macaque. Image credit: Mithun1111 via Wikimedia Commons.

This endangered primate species is endemic to the Western Ghats of India. Karnataka's Sharavathi Valley Lion Tailed Macaque Sanctuary and its surrounding area holds the largest population of the species, which was recently estimated to be around 730. Lion-tailed macaques are diurnal animals with an omnivorous diet. They live in rainforests of their range and spend most of the day foraging, exploring, and resting. They live in groups of 10 to 20 with an established hierarchy. They are territorial and would fight off invading troops. Habitat fragmentation is the biggest threat to the species. Other threats include electrocution by power lines and road accidents while trying to move from one forest patch to another.

Southern Birdwing

A Southern birdwing in Belvai, Karnataka. Image credit: Uajith via Wikimedia Commons.

This butterfly is a delight to the eyes. The Southern birdwing, a butterfly endemic to the Western Ghats, is the State Butterfly of Karnataka. It is a large swallowtail butterfly that appears very elegant when flying. It is found in a variety of habitats, from evergreen to deciduous forests to crop fields. Sammilan Shetty's Butterfly Garden and Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary in Belvai near Mangalore are some of the places where these butterflies can be observed in large numbers and photographed.

Malabar Trogon

A male Malabar trogon. Image credit: Cks3976 via Wikimedia Commons.

This colourful bird is found in many parts of Karnataka. Like other trogon species, males and females adorn different colours. They are almost exclusively insectivorous. The bird is found in many parts of the state as it occupies a variety of habitats. The Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary near Mangalore is one of the best places to see them.

King Cobra

A king cobra. Image credit: Michael Allen Smith from Seattle, USA via Wikimedia Commons.

The King Cobra is one of the world's most venomous snakes, and it is highly revered in India for its majestic appearance and significance in Indian culture and mythology. Karnataka is one of the best places to witness these snakes as it has Agumbe, the hub of King Cobra research and conservation. The Agumbe Rainforest Research Station (ARRS) and the Kalinga Centre for Rainforest Ecology (KCRE) are internationally renowned research and conservation institutes with a focus on king cobra conservation. KCRE also offers visitors the opportunity to book accommodation at the institute and explore the rainforest and its biodiversity with expert naturalists, with a chance to accompany them on snake rescue missions. More recently, herpetologist Gowri Shankar of KCRE conducted experiments that found that the king cobra was not one single species but could be categorised into four distinct species.

Indian Tiger

A male tiger in Bandipur Tiger Reserve. Image credit: Srikanth Vk via Flickr.com.

Karnataka has the second-highest tiger population in India after Madhya Pradesh. According to the 2022 tiger census, the state has at least 563 tigers, an increase of 39 from the 2018 census. However, the state's tiger number growth from 2018 to 2022 was only 7.44% as compared to Madhya Pradesh's 49.23%. The state is home to five tiger reserves - Bandipur, Bhadra, Nagarhole, Kali, and Biligiriranga Swamy Tiger Reserve (BRT). Nagarhole and Bandipur have the highest tiger numbers among these reserves at 149 and 140, respectively. Both are popular tiger safari destinations in India.

Malabar Pit Viper

A Malabar pit viper. Image credit: Chinmayisk via Wikimedia Commons.

Photographers adore this snake because of its many colour morphs. The Malabar pit viper is a venomous species endemic to the Western Ghats. It is found in various colours, such as green, brown, blue, and yellow. These snakes are nocturnal and can be spotted during night trails in Karnataka's rainforests, like Agumbe. 

Asiatic Elephant

An elephant bull in Bandipur Tiger Reserve. Image credit: Yathin S Krishnappa via Wikimedia Commons.

Last but definitely not least is Karnataka's state animal—the Asiatic elephant. The state is home to the country's largest elephant population, which is around 6,395 elephants, or 25% of the country's total. The Bandipur Tiger Reserve in Karnataka has the highest elephant population, with around 1,042, followed by the Nagarhole Tiger Reserve, with 788.