List Of Top 10 Wildlife Sanctuaries In The World
The concept of wildlife sanctuaries is not new to the world. Devanampiya by his decree in 3000 BC, of no harm to be done to animals and trees in a specific area, can be credited with setting up world’s first wildlife sanctuary.
The World over most countries have wildlife sanctuaries thus helping preserve and propagate varied wildlife species. Here are few interesting facts and figures about famous wildlife sanctuaries across the world.
- Arabian Oryx was the first animal saved from extinction from excessive hunting.
- The species of animals feared of extinction if not protected in sanctuaries is more than 1000.
- Wildlife sanctuaries cover only 3% of the total land cover world over.
- Chemicals like pesticide and insecticide also account for endangering wildlife. Use and resulting contamination were responsible for making bald eagle nearly extinct.
- The extensive market for animal products in pharmaceutical and fashion industry is one of the contributing factors for endangering animal species. Like a kilogram of ivory from elephant can fetch a poacher around 1000 dollars.
- World’s largest sanctuary Ross Sea Marine Park is bound by an agreement of 35 years for its top position.
- Keibul Lamjao National Park is the only floating wildlife sanctuary in the world.
- Mayureshwar wildlife sanctuary, in India, is one of the smallest in the world
Keeping in mind varied flora and fauna protected under various wildlife sanctuaries it’s difficult to compile a list of best wildlife sanctuaries in the world. Still, you will find this list of 10 best wildlife sanctuaries in the world worth planning a tour to.
List of Top 10 Famous Wildlife Sanctuaries in the World
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Bandhavgarh National Park
This animal sanctuary from India is known for spotting Tigers in their natural habitat, all over Asia.
If you want to watch the majestic animal roaming fearlessly in the jungle here is the best sanctuary in Asia for the visit.
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LOCATION
To reach this place you can Google Umaria, Madhya Pradesh, India.
AREA
This sanctuary is spread over an area of 446sq km. Initially set up with an area of 105 sq km Bandhavgarh wildlife sanctuary now spans over Umaria and Katni forest divisions with buffer totaling 820 sq km.
WILDLIFE
Bandhavgarh National Park boasts of the largest population of tigers in India. This wildlife sanctuary is known the world over for big size tigers and high density of Bengal tigers. The second most photographed tigress in the world, Sita is from this world famous wildlife sanctuary.
TOURISM
You have far better chances of spotting a tiger roaming freely on roads with tourist snapping it. You can have a story to tell of an ensuing tiger rivalry over territory if you lucky enough.
Besides tigers, this wildlife sanctuary claims to harbor 37 species of mammals, 250 varied species of birds, and a number of reptiles apart.
Guides pet opening statement here goes like this, “In any other Park, you are lucky if you see a tiger. In Bandhavgarh, you are unlucky if you don’t see one.”
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Khao Sok National Park
Khao Sok National Park is known for its beautiful landscape. You can click best ever wallpapers for your mobile device with wildlife, and vibrant landscape. There is a lot for tourists to chose from canoeing, jungle safari to elephant rides.
LOCATION
It’s from Surat Thani, Thailand. You can google Cheow Lan Lake, if you make it there, there would be no problem boat touring into this sanctuary.
AREA
The most beautiful wildlife sanctuary spreads over an area of 739 sq km. Out of this 165sq km is covered in Cheow Lan Lake.
WILDLIFE
Mouse deer, wild deer, squirrel, Asian elephant, tiger, langur, and many more species of wildlife found here from around 5% of species worldwide. Tropical rainforest of this wildlife sanctuary provides for such a varied wildlife.
TOURISM
Adventure tourism packages come packed with knowledge filled adventure rides. Be it trekking through the forest with a night in the forest making bonfire or encounter with wild species you can have a journey to remember.
You can go canoeing or bamboo rafting the traditional way.
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Croajingolong National Park
This UNESCO accreted World biosphere reserve one its kind with the aboriginal population having right over the place. Croajingolong National Park sticks to a long stretch of beaches serving as tourist attractions.
LOCATION
This elongated Australian wildlife sanctuary is sandwiched between the Pacific Ocean, Lowly hilly area, and Bemm River.
AREA
This wildlife sanctuary measures 875 sq km with 100 km of coastal exposure.
WILDLIFE
Kangaroos, koalas the Australia-specific species of wild animals adore this wildlife sanctuary. Park is also abundant in bird species like bristle birds and pilot birds.
TOURISM
World Biosphere Reserve accreditation coupled with biodiversity and a long stretch of picturesque beaches account for huge tourist population.
Wildlife sanctuary itself is riddled with sand dunes at Thurra river, Mount Everard and Point Hicks to name a few.
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Madikwe Game Reserve
BIG 5 is the term that describes Madikwe Game Reserve very well, for this makes it’s one of the best contenders in this list.
Big 5 in safari lovers and enthusiasts language stands for elephant, lion, buffalo, leopard and rhino. You book a trip to this amazing wildlife sanctuary and be assured of a fine chance to share a selfie with B5.
LOCATION
This is one of the most sought after African Wildlife Sanctuary, situated in Madikwe river basin spread over an area of 750sq km.
WILDLIFE
Word biodiversity might have been coined to explain the varied fauna with 61 mammal species, 300 bird species plus the BIG5.
TOURISM
Abundant wildlife works as a magnet to iron for tourists from the world.
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Yasuni National Park
Yasuni National Park holds record breaking number of animal and plant species. It’s one of the front runners in the amphibian species among wildlife sanctuaries of its class. Important facts about this South American Wildlife Sanctuary are:
- This wildlife sanctuary located in Ecuador covering an area of 9820 sq. kms
- 150 species of amphibians, 121 species of reptiles, 382 fish species, 596 bird species, 10,0000 species of insects are few of feathers in its very decorated cap
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Jau National Park
Largest national wildlife sanctuary of Amazon region justifies rightly the biodiversity Great Amazon Rainforest.
- Jau National Park is Brazil’s as well as South Americas largest wildlife sanctuary spread over 5.6 million acres.
- This World Heritage Site is home to 120 mammal species, 470 birds, 370 fishes, 15 reptiles, including Jaguars, Amazonian Manatees, and Amazon River Dolphins as major wildlife enthusiast wish lists.
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Kafue National Park
22400 sq km of the area says it all in the expanse area wise but wildlife bouquet it holds is its real worth.
This size and dense flora makes it widely unexplored and safe breeding ground for usually unseen species of the animal kingdom. Kafue National Park derives its name from river Kafue.
- Ranks 2nd area wise in wildlife sanctuaries of Africa.
- This wildlife sanctuary is from Zambia.
- Antelopes, zebras, elephants, crocodiles, hippos, spotted hyenas, cheetahs, cape wild dogs species live here.
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Kruger National Park
Kruger National Park is one of the largest game reserves in Africa with 19485 sq km area.
- This wildlife sanctuary is South Africa’s first wildlife sanctuary.
- These are the species native to this sanctuary, BIG5, African buffalo, black rhino, zebra, cheetah, giraffe, hippo, impala, greater kudu, waterbuck, bull shark, black mamba, African rock python, crocodiles etc.
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Jim Corbett National Park
Jim Corbett National Park is the oldest one in India, established in 1936, to protect endangered Bengal Tiger.
- This wildlife sanctuary is spread over 520 sq. km in the sub-Himalayan region of India.
- This wildlife sanctuary is easily approachable by rail and road route.
- This sanctuary is now under tremendous pressure from tourist intake with more than 70000 tourists reaching there every season.
- The thick foliage provides a natural habitat for Bengal tiger. It’s difficult to spot one with strips providing camouflage.
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Central Kalahari Game Reserve
Central Kalahari Game Reserve is spread over an area of 52,800 square kilometers in Botswana across the Kalahari Desert.
- It is 2nd largest wildlife sanctuary of the world.
- This game reserve is home to South African giraffe, Cape buffalo, white rhino, elephant, spotted and brown hyena, Kalahari Lion, zebra, cheetah, African leopard, cape wild dog, black-backed jackal. Baboon, ostrich.
To Conclude
Settling of sapiens from nomadic life to clustered settlements had an adverse effect on wildlife. Either it was domesticated or it was forced out its natural habitat or was forced on the road to extinction.
This change in ecosystem leads to, the ever-growing importance of wildlife sanctuaries in the world.
