Straddling the protected forest areas of the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is home to rich biodiversity. Sheltering a mix of South Indian moist deciduous forests, West Coast semi-evergreen forests and trees of teak and eucalyptus, the sanctuary houses fauna like tigers, panthers, langurs, bonnet macaques, bison, sambars, monkeys, Malabar squirrels, bears, monitor lizards, elephants, crocodiles, flying lizards, turtles, skinks and the rare slender Loris. Located on the outskirts of the city, the sanctuary is an integral part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. The Muthanga and Tholpetty eco-tourism spots nestled in the sanctuary offer an unforgettable wildlife experience to visitors.

The best way to explore the sanctuary is through jeep safaris, where you can sight grazing deer, a herd of elephants tromping by or the elusive tiger drinking from one of the many waterholes in the area.