Goa Wildlife Sanctuaries

Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary

Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary 

Distance :52km from Panaji, 38km from Margao

Spread over an area of 8 sq. km., the Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary is the smallest among the wildlife reserves in Goa. Due to its relatively small area, the Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary is known more as a wildlife resort than a sanctuary. Within its confines, the Bondla sanctuary houses a botanical garden, a rose garden, deer safari park and a zoo, initially established as a refuge for injured or orphaned animals.

Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary

Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary

Salim Ali Bird SanctuaryAway from the coast, the Goan landscape breaks into the dramatic and green foothills of the Western Ghats. These foothills shelter the Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary; the smallest wildlife reserve in Goa, which occupies an area of 80sq. km. The sanctuary has the sambar, gaur (Indian bison) and wild boar, amongst others animals. Elephants have been spotted here at times. Perhaps they come in from across Karnataka to enjoy the sea breeze and check out Goa. The sanctuary houses a botanical garden, a rose garden, a small deer-park and a zoo, which was initially established to shelter orphaned animals.

The Mandovi-Zuari Wildlife sSanctuary

has a stretch of rich mangrove swamps, considered to be amongst the most important in the country. Spread over a vast area, this wildlife sanctuary is home to about 20 different species of mangroves that include the rare Kandelia candel species. The swamps support a large variety of fish, birds, jackals, snakes, and crocodiles, to name a few.

Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuaries

Distance : 60km from Panaji

Getting to the Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary is a little tedious; but if you are in the mood to be in the middle of woods and discover the quieter side of Goa, the journey is well worth the trouble. Catigao is Goa’s second largest wildlife reserve. The 105sq. km. of forested land provides shelter to a number of birds and animals. If you go with the intention of seeing some of India’s legendary fauna here, then you could be in for a disappointment, as spotting the more famous wild animals is not extremely common. But the expansive forestland is a welcome change.

Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary

Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary and Mollem National Park is a 240 square kilometers (92.7 sq mi) protected area located in the Western Ghats of South India,along the eastern border of Goa, in Sanguem taluk. The area is situated near the town of Molem, 57 kilometers (35 mi) east of Panaji, the state capital of Goa

This sanctuary contains pristine vegetation classified as West Coast Tropical Evergreen Forests, West Coast Semi - Evergreen Forests and Moist Deciduous Forests. The evergreen forests are mainly seen at higher altitudes and along the river banks.

The predominant species are Terminalia, Lagerstroemia, Xylia and Dalbergia. The forest canopy is almost closed and the availability of grass is very limited. There are several perennial water sources in the sanctuary and the availability of water is not a limiting factor for wildlife