Wildlife in Kanha National Park

Kanha National Park has the alluring features to captivate many visitors from all corners, out of which the varieties of wildlife make the entire environment more blissful. The tropical central highlands of this area make a perfect habitat for the splendors of wild animals.

Although the list is subtly endless, the fact is that it is the wild species alone that create the entire aroma of the natural environment livelier. Kanha National Park is the host of major animals (mammals), including the Barasingha or swamp deer (Rucervus duvaucelii), the Indian wild dog, and the most famed, the Indian Tiger. This park is mostly renowned as the "Tiger Reserve" due to the significant population of tigers in the Kanha land. Apart from that, the most famed Barasingha can be found in abundance in this reserve, and thus, this species can be suitably called the "jewel of Kanha National Park."

Prominent Animals (Fauna) in Kanha National Park

• Royal Bengal Tigers : Kanha National Park is home to the endangered species of the largest cats on Earth - Tigers. The park is among the most promising tiger reserves for observing the Royal Bengal Tigers. Witnessing the stealthy movements of these magnificent creatures is one of the most prominent pleasures you can experience in Kanha National Park, located in Madhya Pradesh, India.
• Barasingha / Swamp Deer : Once at the edge of extinction, these forests played a major role in protecting Barasinghas. Now the forest in Madhya Pradesh is the only ground that is home to these Hard-Ground Barasingha. Barasinghas which translates to twelve-horned is a majestic creature that has branched antlers with multiple tines and is only found in the Indian subcontinent.
• Indian Leopard : Leopards are among the biggest cats with a significant population roaming in the forest of Kanha National Park. They are experts in camouflaging and need sharp eyes to spot one. You will most probably see them resting in the trees of the Forest.
• Sloth Bear : Sloth Bear often referred to as Indian Bear is one of the rare species that is mostly seen active during the daytime. These steady walkers have a healthy population in Kanha wildlife and can be seen taking their leisure walks in the daytime. But they usually feed on the insects in the night-time.
• Wild Dog : Asiatic wild dogs, commonly known as Dhole, are intelligent, good-looking, Charismatic and a rare species of dog found in Kanha National Park.They are social and often spotted in their clans praying on medium-sized or little prey and game.

The Brief Reintroduction of Barasingha, the Jewel of Kanha

Traditionally known as Dolhorina, which is similar to the English name "Swamp Deer," Barasingha is the most abundant species found in Kanha Reserve. This species is recognized as the sub-Himalayan terai of North India. The hard ground Barasingha is an exclusive graminivorous deer species that relies entirely on grasses and grasslands and shows a preference for aquatic plants. It is the most peaceful species in Kanha and easily interacts with Chital. They are often found wading into water, frequently dipping their stifles to feed on water plants.

Hunting, poaching, and the diversion of the long grassland to agriculture in Central India have been the main causes of their depletion in numbers. Therefore, the reserve officials have taken necessary steps to conserve their population.

With the rewarding conservation efforts of Kanha National Park, the officials of this reserve have entirely focused on the preservation of the swamp deer, who were victims of poaching for their skin and beautiful horns. Their objectives of wildlife conservation included the relocation of Gaur to Bandhavgarh and Barasingha to Satpura Tiger Reserve. With this effort, at least 500 Barasingha were introduced to this national park in eight or nine different locations.

Additionally, another project for the conservation of the tigers was also introduced, which involved capturing about twenty tigers to relocate them to the Satpura Tiger Reserve.

Checklist of Animals/ Mammals in Kanha National Park

Although Kanha National Park is most known for its high population of Royal Bengal Tigers, Indian Leopards, and Swamp deers, this national park has many other popular and rare animal species. More than 40 mammals other than Tiger, Barasingha and Leopards, including Bison, Wild Dogs, Sloth Bear, Sambar Deer, Spotted Deer, Four-horned Antelope, Wild Boar, Indian Elephants, Jungle Cats, Jungle Cats, Indian Langurs, Macaques, Pangolin, Porcupine, Mongoose, and many more small mammals. Scavengers like Striped Hyenas and jackals also are some rare species in these wilds.

• Barasingha
• Barking Deer (Muntjak)
• Chital
• Gaur
• Hyena
• Jackal
• Jungle Cat
• Langur
• Leopard
• Sambar
• Indian Tree Shrew
• Sloth Bear
• Tiger
• Wild Boar
• Wild Dog
• Small Indian Civet
• Common Palm Civet
• Ruddy Mongoose
• Indian Wolf
• Common Mongoose
• Indian Fox
• Flying Squirrel
• Ratel
• Indian Porcupine
• Indian Hare
• Nilgai
• Chowsingha
• Indian Pangolin
• Indian Flying Fox
• Fulvous Fruit Bat
• Greater False Vampire
• Indian Pipistrelle

Reptiles and Invertebrates in Kanha Tiger Reserve

Kanha National Park is home to many little creatures that are highly valuable to nature and contribute to the ecosystem. There are more than 25 species of reptiles in the forest including popular snakes like the Indian Rock Python, Cobra, Saw-Scaled Viper, Wolf Snake, and Egg Eater. Other reptiles include Monitor Lizards, Fan-throated Lizard, Bullfrog, Tod, Skittering frogs, and other species of lizards, snakes, and frogs. Different butterflies, Dragonflies, ants, Beetles, Termites, Spiders and other insects which in spite of being pests are a precious part of the Jungle life.

Wildlife Conservation Initiatives Taken in Kanha Tiger Reserve

• The enactment of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and subsequently, the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.
• The addition of wildlife conservation to the Concurrent List of the constitution.
• The enlargement of the network of national parks and sanctuaries.
• The launch of Project Tiger in 1973.
• The Crocodile Breeding Project, 1975.
• Project Elephant, early 1991.
• Project Hangul, 1970.
• Manipur Brow-Antlered Deer Conservation Project, 1973.
• Regulation of wildlife trade and commerce.
• Strengthening of education and training facilities, further motivated by the establishment of the Wildlife Institute of India.
• Various efforts to increase general awareness about nature conservation.